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Protecting All Children’s Teeth

Dental Development

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Introduction

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Used with permission from Lauren Barone

It is important for child health providers to understand normal dental

development so that:

  • Proper anticipatory guidance can be provided to families.
  • Deviations from normal can be recognized.
  • Accurate decisions about intervention can be made.�

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Learner Objectives

Upon completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:�

  • Recall the typical pattern and timing of tooth eruption.
  • Describe instances in which a practitioner should be concerned about eruption and refer for evaluation.
  • List medical causes of premature and delayed tooth exfoliation.
  • State at least 4 common etiologies of tooth discoloration.
  • Correctly identify symptoms associated with teething and summarize proper teething management.
  • Outline common symptoms and causes of malocclusion.

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Used with permission from Lauren Barone

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Normal Development

Oral structures begin to form during the third and fourth weeks of embryonic development. ��The teeth begin to develop around the sixth week of fetal life. ��Development continues throughout fetal life and beyond.

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Used with permission from Lauren Barone

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Tooth Eruption: Primary Teeth

Primary teeth begin to erupt around �6 months of age (range 5-10 months)

Eruption is completed by 24 to �36 months

Delay of more than 12 months �merits further dental evaluation

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Used with permission from Belkis Arroyo

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Tooth Eruption: Primary Teeth

Eruption is usually symmetrical �(lower teeth before upper) in the �following pattern for primary teeth:

  • Central incisors
  • Lateral incisors
  • First molars
  • Canines
  • Second molars �

Exfoliation often follows a similar pattern.

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Used with permission from the American Dental Association

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Tooth Emergence: Permanent Teeth

Permanent teeth emergence pattern is similar to that of the primary teeth.

Eruption of the permanent teeth begins between 5 and 7 years of age and usually finishes by 13 to 14 years.

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Paper Permission on file from Michael Chang

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Tooth Emergence: Permanent Teeth

The typical pattern for permanent teeth eruption is:

  • Central incisors
  • Lateral incisors
  • First molars
  • Premolars
  • Canines
  • Second molars
  • Third molars (wisdom teeth)

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Used with permission from the American Dental Association

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Natal and Neonatal Teeth

Some infants erupt teeth before birth (natal teeth) or shortly thereafter (neonatal teeth).

Generally, no treatment is indicated. Extraction of these incisors may be considered if they are mobile, interfere with breastfeeding, or lead to Riga-Fede ulceration.

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Used with permission from David A. Clark, MD; Chairman and Professor of Pediatrics at Albany Medical Center

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Delayed Eruption

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Delayed emergence of more than 12 months can be caused by:

  • Oral space issues (most common reason for a single tooth)
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Genetic disorders
  • Dense gingival tissue
  • Dental infection
  • Radiation therapy

It is reasonable to refer a child who has not erupted any teeth by

18 months of age to a dentist if they are not seeing one already.

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Early Tooth Loss

Primary tooth exfoliation is a part of the normal process of permanent tooth eruption

  • Usually begins around age 6

Early tooth loss may be the result �of the following causes:

  • Tooth destruction from dental caries
  • Trauma
  • Endocrine disorders, immune � disorders, or other disorders

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Used with permission from Rocio B. Quinonez, DMD, MS, MPH; Associate Professor Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry University of North Carolina

Dental Caries

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Delayed Exfoliation

Delayed tooth loss can be caused by a variety of disorders, including:

  • Endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism or hypopituitarism
  • Ectodermal dysplasia
  • Genetic disorders
  • Vitamin D resistant rickets

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Abnormal Teeth

A number of tooth abnormalities can occur in development.

These abnormalities can relate to the shape, color, physical structure, or number of teeth.

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Abnormal Teeth, continued

Hypodontia can be caused by the same problems that delay eruption.

Anodontia is extremely rare and most often associated with hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia.��Hyperdontia can be associated with genetic disorders such as cleidocranial dysostosis and Gardner’s syndrome (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis). ��

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Tooth Shape

Abnormal tooth shape can result from a variety of medical conditions.

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Hutchinson incisors and

Mulberry teeth are caused

by congenital syphilis.

Hutchinson Teeth

Used with permission from AAP Red Book

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Tooth Color

Abnormalities in tooth color can result from a number of causes.

Food pigments can stain the teeth, although these changes should be

temporary. Smoking can also discolor the teeth.

Excess fluoride intake can cause a range

of color changes, from a lacy, chalky

white discoloration to severe brown staining of the teeth.

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Used with permission from Martha Ann Keels, DDS, PhD; Division Head of Duke Pediatric Dentistry, Duke Children's Hospital

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Tooth Color, continued

Abnormalities in tooth color can also be caused by the following:

  • Nerve necrosis secondary to trauma
  • Severe caries
  • Tetracycline use by a pregnant

mother in the second half of

pregnancy or by a child early in life

  • Oral iron supplementation
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Medical problems

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Iron Staining

Used with permission from Martha Ann Keels, DDS, PhD; Division Head of Duke Pediatric Dentistry, Duke Children's Hospital

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Teething Care

Teething and symptoms attributed to teething are a common concern

of parents.

It is important to inform parents that none of these symptoms consistently and accurately predict when teething is about to occur:

  • Congestion or cough
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Decreased appetite for liquids
  • Vomiting
  • Loose or increased stools

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Teething Care, continued

The recommended intervention for teething is the use of cold items because the cold acts as an anesthetic for the gums.

Suggested items include:

  • Pacifiers
  • Spoons
  • Clean wet washcloths
  • Frozen bagels or bananas
  • Refrigerated teething rings

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Used with permission from Giusy Romano-Clarke, MD

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Teething Care, continued

Topical teething gels sold over-the-counter (OTC) are often used for teething.

These gels can carry serious risks, such as local reactions, seizures with overdose, and methemoglobinemia. Benzocaine containing teething gels should not be used in infants or children under 2 years of age.

If necessary, parents should be instructed on proper dosing of OTC analgesic medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

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Malocclusion

Malocclusion can be a functional problem, an aesthetic issue, or a hindrance to maintaining good oral hygiene.

Examples of malocclusion include anterior open bite, anterior crossbite, and posterior crossbite.���

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Posterior Crossbite

Anterior Crossbite

Anterior Open Bite

Used with permission from Martha Ann Keels, DDS, PhD; Division Head of Duke Pediatric Dentistry, Duke Children's Hospital

Used with permission from Noel Childers, DDS, MS, PhD; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Used with permission from Noel Childers, DDS, MS, PhD; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Malocclusion, continued

Signs and symptoms of malocclusion include:

  • Abnormal alignment of teeth
  • Abnormal appearance of the face
  • Difficulty or discomfort when biting or chewing
  • Bruxism ����

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Malocclusion, continued

Malocclusion is usually genetic or congenital in origin.

Examples of genetic causes include congenital absence of teeth, cleft lip or palate, skeletal disorders, and muscular problems.

Malocclusion can also result from environmental

factors, such as prolonged thumb sucking,

pacifier use, or tongue thrusting.

Patients with malocclusions should be referred �to a dental professional.�

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Used with permission from ANZ Photography

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Question #1

A parent asks you how many "baby teeth" her child will

eventually have. What is the most appropriate response?

A. 18 teeth

B. 20 teeth

C. 28 teeth

D. 32 teeth

E. None of the above

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Answer

A parent asks you how many "baby teeth" her child will

eventually have. What is the most appropriate response?

A. 18 teeth

B. 20 teeth

C. 28 teeth

D. 32 teeth

E. None of the above

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Question #2

Which of the following is true of malocclusion?

A. It can be an aesthetic problem

B. It can interfere with proper oral hygiene

C. It can make eating difficult

D. Examples include an anterior open bite and a posterior crossbite

E. All of the above �

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Answer

Which of the following is true of malocclusion?

A. It can be an aesthetic problem

B. It can interfere with proper oral hygiene

C. It can make eating difficult

D. Examples include an anterior open bite and a posterior crossbite

E. All of the above

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Question #3

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You are seeing a 15-month-old healthy boy for his 15-month

routine visit. He was not premature. The parents are concerned

because he has not yet erupted any teeth, a finding you confirm on

examination. Which is the most appropriate course of action?

A. Reassure the family. If the child appears normal, you are not concerned

unless no teeth have erupted by 2 years of age

B. Refer to a dentist for evaluation

C. Obtain a panoramic X-ray of the teeth to ensure that they have developed

normally

D. Refer to an endocrinologist for evaluation, as delayed tooth eruption has a

known association with several endocrinopathies

E. Wait 3 months and refer to a dentist if no teeth have erupted by the 18

month routine visit

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Answer

You are seeing a 15-month-old healthy boy for his 15-month

routine visit. He was not premature. The parents are concerned

because he has not yet erupted any teeth, a finding you confirm on

examination. Which is the most appropriate course of action?

A. Reassure the family. If the child appears normal, you are not concerned

unless no teeth have erupted by 2 years of age

B. Refer to a dentist for evaluation

C. Obtain a panoramic X-ray of the teeth to ensure that they have developed

normally

D. Refer to an endocrinologist for evaluation, as delayed tooth eruption has a

known association with several endocrinopathies

E. Wait 3 months and refer to a dentist if no teeth have erupted by the 18

month routine visit

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Question #4

True or False? Excess fluoride intake can cause irreversible

tooth discoloration.

A. True

B. False �

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Answer

True or False? Excess fluoride intake can cause irreversible

tooth discoloration.

A. True

B. False �

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Question #5

When do the permanent (adult) teeth begin to erupt?

A. It varies from child to child

B. Around 4 years of age

C. Around 6 years of age

D. Around 8 years of age

E. Starting at 10 years of age

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Answer

When do the permanent (adult) teeth begin to erupt?

A. It varies from child to child

B. Around 4 years of age

C. Around 6 years of age

D. Around 8 years of age

E. Starting at 10 years of age

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References

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  1. Cunha RF, Boer FA et al. Natal and neonatal teeth: review of the literature. Pediatr Dent, 2001; 23(2):158-162.
  2. Anderson JE. "Nothing but the tooth”: Dispelling myths about teething. Contemp Pediatr. 2004; 21:75.
  3. Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, et al. Symptoms associated with infant teething: a prospective study. Pediatrics. 2000;105 (4):747-52.