Missing Teeth Syndrome is a condition in which a child is born with one or more missing tooth buds, which are necessary to develop primary and permanent teeth. If you are observant, you can recognize if your child is missing teeth early on.
Classifying tooth agenesis involves taking into account how many teeth are missing from birth. It is hypodontia if fewer than 6 permanent teeth are missing, excluding third molars. Conversely, oligodontia is the absence of 6 or more permanent teeth, not including third molars. Lastly, anodontia is the total lack of teeth.
Discovering that your child suffers from Congenitally Missing Teeth Syndrome (CMTS) can be worrying. Luckily there are treatments available to help your child manage this condition.
Let’s take a look at the causes and treatment for missing teeth in kids.
6 Common Causes of Hypodontia or Missing Teeth
While there are a variety of factors that can contribute to the condition, here are the 6 most common causes and factors that can contribute to hypodontia in kids:
1. Hereditary
Hypodontia is hereditary, meaning it is passed down from generation to generation. It is likely that if one parent has hypodontia, their child has a good chance of developing the condition as well.
2. Cleft Lip and/or Palate
Children with cleft lip and/or palate have a higher risk of missing teeth. This is because these conditions can cause the teeth to develop abnormally or not develop at all.
3. Genetic Conditions
Certain genetic conditions, such as Ectodermal Dysplasia and Down syndrome, can cause hypodontia. These conditions can be passed on from parent to child and can cause problems with the development of the teeth and jaw.
4. Environmental Influences
Environmental influences, such as allergies, exposure to heavy metals, toxic epidermal necrolysis, radiation, or certain medications, can increase the risk of hypodontia in children.
5. Low Birth Weight
Low birth weight, especially for twins, is another common risk factor for missing teeth. In this case, the mother’s body doesn’t have enough resources to support the growth and development of all teeth.
6. Infectious Illnesses
Infectious illnesses like rubella, measles, or candida can also cause missing teeth. This is because the virus can interfere with the formation of teeth in the womb.
Treatment Options for Missing Teeth
Untreated Hypodontia can cause a variety of problems for a child, from difficulty in eating, speaking, and socializing to dental decay and periodontal disease. Therefore, you must talk to your doctor or dentist and have them evaluate your child’s teeth and jaw.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term problems and ensure your child’s teeth develop and grow properly. Dentists can suggest various replacement options in case of missing teeth, such as fixed bridges, removable partial dentures, and dental implants. Alternatively, braces can be used to close gaps between teeth.
Working with your dental team to find a solution to give your kids a full smile doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, you can rest assured that they’ll be able to provide a solution that not only functions well but also looks great.
Author Bio:
Creating perfect smiles is what Dr. Satish Pai is committed to. An orthodontist by profession, he believes that a perfect smile is a powerful part of a person’s personality. When he is not working hard on perfecting his patients’ smiles at Putnam Ortho, he is busy writing engaging articles about everything related to healthy and perfect smiles. His other passions include golf, yoga, and surfing. Spending time with his family always brings a smile on his face.
