When Permanent Teeth Do Not Come Out On Time

When Alice is 11 years old, two of her baby central incisors have not fallen out (Fig.1: A).  They are supposed to do so at the age of 8.  Her father thinks that they should be extracted (Fig.2) in order to let the permanent central incisors (Fig.3: #1) come out naturally.  In fact, the very beginning end of the permanent teeth are barely visible (Fig.2 <) when the baby teeth are out.

In 9 months, the permanent teeth come out, but in a wrong position (called cross bite, Fig.4: #1); the baby lateral incisors show no sign of mobility (B).  At the suggestion of the father, the baby lateral incisors are taken out (Fig.5) to lay a foundation of their permanent teeth to erupt.  In fact, braces are necessary to move the permanent central incisors forward (Fig.6 arrow) to create spaces for the permanent lateral incisors (2) to make appearance to the world.

When permanent teeth do not come out on time, they may be in a wrong area.  Extraction of retained baby teeth and braces are needed to bring the permanent teeth to a normal position.

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Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 10/19/2014, last revision 10/19/2014