Orthodontist - no adult teeth

[~clover~]

DD2 has been referred to an orthodontist. I'm really not looking forward to this one :/

It appears that she has a bout 8 adult teeth that should exist, but just don't. DS looks to be heading that way too, but it's to early to tell yet.

Has anyone else been through the same? I don't know anyone, so I have no idea what they would do about this. Except that in his words she 'needs a lot of work'. And that just the review will use up around $750 of the $1000 entitlement the government has put out.

Any experiences would be helpful. I know nothing...

[~clover~]

And lastly, when an adult tooth has failed to form, there are a few ways to address this. Often, if it’s one or two teeth, a patient can maintain the baby tooth for as long as possible. Very often, if well taken care of, someone can keep their baby tooth long into adulthood and sometimes for life. However, if the baby tooth is lost or needs to be removed, other options can also be discussed.

If the missing adult teeth are more than one or two, this becomes an issue with function and maintenance of the teeth that are there. First, though, if a child is missing multiple adult teeth, a consult with the child’s pediatrician is recommended to rule out conditions that may affect the entire body.

A child missing their adult teeth can have a broad range of very straight-forward treatments to other conditions that require more involvement with your dentist. It is important that a child be seen on a regular basis to keep an eye on their adult teeth and how they’re coming in.

If you have any questions, please give us a call

Not as helpful as I'd have liked...

[~clover~]

So, in answer to my own question, genetic counselling, a paed review & dentures my be in my baby girl's not too distant future

[~TT40~]

No experience or advice...sorry...but didnt want to leave you with no replies. Doesnt look like fun for your girl. Hoping it's simple to sort out.

[~clover~]

Thanks. it may be possible to have non fixed dentures or something done, rather than the alternative of having them fixed :/

But the fact that when she smiles only 3 front top teeth are there (& she lost the 4th possibly more than 2 years ago, I haven't even kept track :/), and the next 2 are sunken baby teeth, so hardly visible, means that we may have no choice but to do something before high school, purely for self confidence.

And if she only has her first set of teeth to rely on, just how long will they last? I know plenty of people still have baby teeth, I've heard plenty of stories. But they're not my baby. I don't have to worry about them iykwim?

[~TT40~]

Of course, it's always harder when it is your baby.
So if her baby teeth fall out, she has no adult ones to replace them? Is that the problem?

[~clover~]

Yep. And there is a chance of the baby teeth falling out, but there's nothing actually there to make it happen.

Yet her molars are 'sunken' as they put it last year. So my guess is that they seem to have gone back in a little? I don't know if that gets worse over time?

oligodontia is the name of it I believe.

[Tinks]

My experience with orthodontists is that they are happy to put you on a payment plan if you can't afford to pay it all outright. Your initial consultation should only cost around $100 and they usually give you a quote for the work they'll do so you'll know exactly what you're up for in advance. I don't think orthodontic treatment is covered by the medicare dental benefit.

My nephew just saw an ortho this week for a similar problem. The dr was reluctant to start any treatment at his age (11yo), he wants to wait until he has lost all of his baby teeth. They may not want to wait if your dd has no adult teeth at all though, he is missing some but not all, he also has teeth growing in the roof of his mouth.

[~clover~]

Thanks Tinks. Last year they explained that one of the ones without the adult tooth behind may be pushed out as well, by the tooth next to it, but we'll have to make sure we play with it alot to encourage it. But it is recommended to start treatment early. They could pull them out, or cap them, depending on what happens.

Having upwards of 6 adult teeth missing is apparently usually syndrome related, & they may do testing to check this further? But this is only what I've read, so will wait for the expert to let me know the real deal. Of course I Dr Googled it... I've honestly never heard of this before & wanted to know what treatment she'd be looking at. The dentist didn't tell me anything.

He is going to make some calls & see if he can get us into some clinic in Perth. But I have a feeling that may be one of the government/medicare funded dental clinics, not orthodontics.

DD won't know anything until we see someone. She was already panicking at just the idea of having to see a specialist

Otherwise though, her teeth are perfect, healthy & clean No treatment by the dentist necessary

[Trillian]

I know in NSW there are a few publically funded orthodontists, but these usually have very long waiting lists to get in to see them (as you could imagine :/ ) Is there anything like that where you are?

[~clover~]

Community Support | Orthodontist Perth Western Australia | Orthodontics on St Quentin Claremont | Orthodontics on Berrigan Jandakot | Orthodontics at Southbank South Perth

This may be an option. May've been what he was referring to yesterday. There is still a co-payment for patients in WA, SA & Vic, but I hope this is an option.

[Lenny]

Good Luck. Your DD is unlucky, but lucky that you are on to it and are trying to help. xx

[Mum2twoBoys]

I didn't know this was a thing coz i swear I never lost my molars. I thought they stayed with you and when I saw someone's kids lost there's I was surprised. So maybe this is me and why my molars are so bad.

[Olive]

The government allocated 1k won't cover any orthodontics.
Firstly, has she had an OPG done???

[~clover~]

No, I've found that out. She hasn't had anything more than x-rays done. And I don't think they've even done new ones, or if they were just going off the ones from last year.
It's the school dental van. So I don't know how much they're actually equipped to do.

[Artechim]

Mum2twoBoys, it is quite possible you have your baby molars. My two bottom first molars are baby teeth. They are now nearly half fillings and need more They are my only fillings besides the teeth next to them that have fillings where they touch the baby teeth. Apparently at some point they may decide to get loose and fall out.

[Razzberry]

I don't know anything about it but I am 31 and I still have a baby tooth, it's probably my best tooth - the whitest and strongest!

[Mum2twoBoys]

Yes ive had a filling in one of my teeth since primary school. And u didn't lose my first tooth till I was around 11.