If you are either a teenager or younger, having a missing tooth is typically from the adult tooth never forming in the first place. These types of problems can easily be identified with a x-ray taken around age 9 or 10.
Whether you are young or even an adult, there are 3 treatment options when an adult tooth is missing?
Replace the missing tooth with either a bridge or implant and crown.
Close the space orthodontically (braces).
If the baby tooth is still present, keep it since a lot of baby teeth can be kept for many years before they are lost.
What is the best option for you and your child will depend on many different variables such as your age, how your bite is, how much crowding (crooked teeth) you have, whether there are more than one tooth missing. A comprehensive exam by an orthodontist is the first place to start and he/she will then be able to help guide you in making the best decision for you or your child.
Note: Dr. Edward Altherr is a board-certified orthodontist in private practice serving Apex, NC, and the surrounding towns/cities of Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville and Fuquay-Varina. Dr. Altherr’s training in orthodontics was at the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s program where we studied under many great orthodontic icons like Dr. William Proffitt and Dr. Camilla Tulloch. During his orthodontic training, Dr. Altherr’s research and further focus was on the orthodontic treatment of the mixed-dentition (mix of baby and adult teeth in kids between 6 and 14 yo). With his research and over 21 years of clinical orthodontic experience as of 2023, Dr. Altherr is considered an expert in mixed-dentition orthodontics and other areas of orthodontics like temporary skeletal anchors. This web blog is for educational purposes only. Dr. Altherr is licensed only in the state of North Carolina, and cannot diagnose and recommend orthodontic treatment over the phone or internet
