Agenesis: when should I worry if my child doesn’t have teeth?
As a general rule, the first teeth appear between six and eight months. Day after day, many parents come to the clinic worried because their children have not yet had their teeth come out, that is, that agenesis (absence of teeth) could be occurring.
Although it is generally not anything serious, it is advisable to investigate the reasons for this delay.
So, at what point should I worry if my child doesn’t get teeth?
Traditionally it has been said that this type of developmental alterations are due to a lack of calcium or fluoride.
But there are many other factors that play a role in teething.
These could be family precedents, the month of gestation in which the birth occurred (premature children tend to have slower dental development), nutritional, physiological or even environmental factors.
In general and approximately, it is established that the first teeth appear around six or eight months.
Once this first stage occurs, the following ones will appear with a difference of approximately four months.
Around 30-36 months, children usually have all their baby teeth present in their mouths.
If the baby has turned 18 months old and has not shown signs that indicate the imminent eruption of a tooth, such as inflammation and sensitivity in the gum, we should consult a specialist, as it could be a symptom of other diseases such as hypothyroidism, hypovitaminosis D or agenesis.
Agenesis In these cases, children fail to form some of the pieces or their total absence occurs.
This pathology (3-10% of the population), which can affect baby teeth or permanent teeth once the primary teeth fall out, is called agenesis.
Generally, agenesis has no health implications beyond possible malposition of the teeth (the teeth that grow are distributed randomly throughout the space, occupying more of the gum, being placed horizontally, etc.), with the consequent difficulties with speech or eating.
As with the delay in the eruption of baby teeth, there are several factors that can lead to agenesis (genetic and environmental, mainly), so each case requires a personalized study.
Depending on the number of missing teeth we can talk about: Hypodontia.
In these cases, between one and six teeth are missing, not counting the wisdom teeth.
Oligodontia.
More than six teeth are missing in the same arch, not including wisdom teeth.
It usually causes problems in the growth of the rest of the teeth.
Anodontia.
Total absence of teeth.
My son suffers from agenesis.
Is there a solution?
Regardless of the reason that causes agenesis in each case, the functional and, in some cases, aesthetic problem has a solution.
After a detailed analysis by orthodontists and dentists, you can opt for different types of treatment.
Generally, processes are used in which attempts are made to correct the space and position of the existing teeth, completing the empty spaces with implants or closing them through orthodontics, ignoring the absent tooth.
In the event that several pieces are missing in the same arch, bridges on teeth or fixed implants could be used.