We will typically have and lose 20 primary teeth early in our lifetimes. These will be followed by 32 permanent teeth. That's on average, anyway. Not everybody will have 32 permanent teeth. You may be one of these people. Your situation might be because of a developmental abnormality known as
hypodontia.
Hypodontia is the term for those missing 6 or fewer teeth. Missing more than that is referred to as oligodontia, while anodontia is the term used for those who are missing all of their permanent teeth. This happens because the permanent teeth fail to develop.
It's nothing to worry about if you are someone with hypodontia. Concerning your mouth, it's estimated that twenty percent of people are born with at least one tooth missing, making hypodontia one of the most common developmental conditions. The condition occurs more often for identical twins. Hypodontia is also more common in women than it is in men.
Hypodontia tends to be a hereditary issue, though environmental factors have been known to play a role. These factors are advanced maternal age, low birth weight, incidences of rubella, and maternal smoking. Fortunately, treatments are available for hypodontia. These include dental prosthetics,
dental implants, and orthodontic braces and appliances. Additionally, when the gap between the teeth is small, Dr. Sachs can bond tooth-colored filling material to your teeth, closing the gap.
Treatment differs
for kids. Dental implants wouldn't be recommended since children have less-developed jaws. In the absence of a permanent tooth to push it away, the child's primary tooth can stay in place through adulthood. If preserving the baby tooth is impossible, the child's dentist may use braces to pull other permanent teeth toward each other, so as to close the gap between the teeth.
Since hypodontia is hereditary, any of your children may have a higher chance of developing the abnormality. If you happen to be a parent and have hypodontia, be sure to let your child's dentist know.
Have you had a checkup recently? If not, give us a call to
schedule your appointment with Dr. Sachs!