Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Family dental care in Glen Iris

What is the reason front teeth are not erupting in Glen Iris?

Frequently parents call or visit our practice, since the primary teeth of their child had fallen and the permanent adult teeth are not coming through. The most common reason for this are obstructions in the eruption path or teeth that have “lost their way”. Here are some common causes

  1. Lack of space – When the jaws are too small for the size of the teeth, when one permanent tooth erupts it causes the loss of two primary teeth. Crowded teeth tend to erupt on top of each other of behind the primary teeth giving rise to “shark teeth”.

  2. Obstructions in the path of the emerging tooth – Some times “extra” teeth or supernumerary teeth develop on top of the regular ones.  These teeth are common in the area where the upper central incisors should erupt and create a barrier.

  3. Abnormal tooth position or angulation – As a result of trauma to the teeth or wrongly shaped teeth the position of the teeth and their eruption path changes. This can lead the teeth to erupt into other  teeth or get stuck after loosing their way.

In addition to these common reasons, there genetic and systemic reasons. Children with ectodermal dysplasia, cleidocranial dysplasia or Down syndrome may have missing teeth. Children which had suffered from lack of nutrition, chronic illnesses, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, or rickets can have missing teeth or display delayed eruption.

If a tooth is missing or a permanent tooth had not erupted after 6 months of the primary tooth being shed, it is not normal. It requires an examination to determine what is the reason the permanent tooth is not erupting, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

 

My child’s tooth is not erupting, what should I do in Glen Iris?

When Teeth Fail to Erupt: Causes and What to Do

When teeth fail to erupt, it is important first to determine whether the missing teeth are primary teeth (commonly called “baby teeth”) or permanent teeth (sometimes called “adult teeth”). Age plays a key role in identifying which type of teeth are affected.

Understanding Baby Teeth

Baby teeth usually erupt between 4 and 6 months of age. By around age three, all 20 primary teeth are typically present in a toddler’s mouth. The first to appear are usually the lower front teeth (incisors), followed by the upper ones.

When baby teeth are missing, it may appear as delayed eruption or large spaces between existing teeth. Because baby teeth start forming while the child is still in the womb, missing primary teeth are quite rare.

Possible Causes of Missing Baby Teeth

  • Complications during pregnancy

  • Premature birth

  • Genetic or developmental factors

If your child’s baby teeth are failing to appear on time, Dr. Kaufman can examine their mouth to determine whether teeth are developing correctly and identify any underlying issues.

When Permanent Teeth Don’t Erupt

Permanent teeth usually begin replacing baby teeth around the age of six. The first to be replaced are often the lower front teeth—the same ones that erupted first.

If permanent teeth fail to emerge, the most common reasons include:

  • Obstructions in the eruption path, such as a retained primary tooth or an extra tooth (odontoma)

  • Missing teeth (agenesis), where the tooth simply hasn’t developed

When an obstruction blocks the eruption path, the issue can often be corrected by removing the obstruction, allowing the permanent tooth to erupt naturally. If the teeth are missing entirely, further investigation is needed to understand the cause and to explore possible restorative or orthodontic treatment options.

Dr. Kaufman can assess whether the tooth is present beneath the gum line using diagnostic imaging and discuss suitable solutions—such as guided eruption, space maintenance, or tooth replacement options—to ensure a healthy smile and balanced bite.

Book a Consultation

If there are visible gaps in your child’s teeth or if you are concerned about delayed tooth eruption, please make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman for a detailed dental evaluation. Early assessment can help identify the cause and ensure proper dental development for your child.