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Sometimes a tooth stops following the normal pattern of eruption because it becomes directly joined to the jawbone — a condition known as ankylosis. This fusion prevents the tooth from moving as the child’s jaw grows, so the affected tooth can appear shorter or sunken compared with its neighbors. Ankylosis most often involves primary molars and can follow injury, infection, or abnormal development; detecting it early makes a meaningful difference in how the situation is managed.
Diagnosis usually combines a clinical exam with targeted imaging to determine whether the root is fused to bone and how the surrounding teeth are developing. In mild cases, careful monitoring can be appropriate; when the ankylosed tooth is interfering with bite development or blocking eruption of permanent teeth, active intervention is recommended. Options range from surgical release or extraction to planned orthodontic movement, depending on the child’s age and developmental needs.
Because ankylosis can influence how the entire dental arch grows, treatment decisions are typically made by a team that may include a pediatric dentist and an orthodontist. The main goals are to preserve space for permanent teeth, maintain healthy function, and minimize long-term disruption to the bite. Clear communication and follow-up help ensure that corrective steps are timed to match a child’s growth.
Some permanent teeth don’t come in where they’re supposed to. Ectopic canines are a common example: these teeth may erupt toward the cheek or roof of the mouth rather than into the dental arch. Left untreated, impacted canines can damage adjacent roots or cause crowding. When an eruption path is predictable, orthodontic guidance — often combined with a minor surgical exposure — can coax the tooth into position over time.
The orthodontic portion of treatment usually involves attaching a small bonded device to the impacted tooth and applying gentle traction with braces or aligners to guide it into the arch. This process is gradual and coordinated so the tooth moves safely without harming surrounding tissues. Treatment timelines vary with each case but commonly span several months up to a year, depending on tooth position and response to movement.
A mesiodens is the most frequent type of extra tooth and typically appears in the midline between the upper front teeth. These supernumerary teeth rarely erupt on their own and often interfere with normal development. When present, they are usually removed surgically at an age when the permanent incisors have formed enough root to allow safe intervention — the timing is planned to minimize disruption and to support normal eruption of adjacent teeth.
Fluoride is a powerful tool for preventing cavities, but developing enamel is sensitive to the total fluoride exposure it receives. When excess fluoride reaches the enamel while teeth are forming, it can alter mineralization and create visible changes known as fluorosis. Mild forms usually appear as faint white streaks or specks; more pronounced cases may show deeper discoloration or irregular surface changes.
Prevention focuses on sensible, age-appropriate fluoride use: supervising young children during brushing, using the recommended amount of toothpaste, and reviewing any fluoride supplements with a dental professional. Local water fluoride levels and combined sources (toothpaste, mouth rinses, supplements) are considered when assessing exposure. If you suspect fluorosis, a clinical evaluation and imaging can determine the severity and guide treatment options.
Cosmetic treatments are available to improve the appearance of affected enamel, ranging from gentle whitening and microabrasion to more involved restorations for severe cases. The right approach depends on the extent of the changes and the child’s overall dental health. A measured, conservative strategy often achieves a pleasing result while preserving tooth structure.
Bite relationships established in childhood set the stage for function, speech, and facial growth. An open bite — where the front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are together — can stem from prolonged habits like thumb-sucking, persistent tongue thrust, or skeletal growth patterns. Posterior crossbites, which affect the back teeth, can cause the jaw to shift and lead to uneven wear or asymmetric growth if not addressed.
Early evaluation is important because interceptive measures are most effective while a child is still growing. Habit counseling, appliance therapy to guide jaw development, and timely orthodontic intervention can often correct or significantly reduce the problem without resorting to complex procedures later. In some cases, collaboration with other specialists is helpful when airway or airway-related factors contribute to the bite pattern.
Treatment is individualized: some children respond well to removable or fixed appliances that expand the arch or reposition the bite, while others may require longer-term orthodontic care as their permanent teeth erupt. The primary goals are to restore comfortable function, support healthy facial development, and prevent future complications such as abnormal wear or jaw pain.
When a baby tooth has deep decay or symptoms that involve the inner pulp, a pulpotomy can be an effective way to preserve the tooth until it is naturally lost. This procedure removes the inflamed portion of the pulp while maintaining the healthy root tissues, allowing the tooth to remain in place and continue to hold space for the permanent successor. Clinical success varies by case, but many studies report favorable outcomes when the procedure is performed and followed appropriately.
After a pulpotomy, the tooth is restored to protect it from re-infection and to withstand normal function. Preserving the tooth reduces the likelihood of space loss, shifting of neighboring teeth, or the need for more complex space-maintenance measures later. Regular recall appointments make it possible to monitor healing and intervene if symptoms change.
Mucoceles are common, noncancerous bumps that form when a saliva gland duct is damaged and mucus collects in the surrounding tissue. They most often appear on the lower lip and can vary in size; while small mucoceles may burst and resolve, recurrent or persistent lesions typically require surgical excision to remove the gland and the lesion completely. This minor procedure is straightforward and prevents repeated recurrence when indicated.
These topics represent some of the common dental challenges children face as they grow. Early recognition, timely imaging, and a team approach to care help preserve function, support normal development, and reduce the need for more invasive treatment later on. For questions or to discuss a specific concern, please contact the office of Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for more information.
Ankylosis occurs when a tooth becomes fused to the surrounding jawbone so it cannot move or erupt normally as the child grows. This fusion most commonly affects primary first molars and teeth that have experienced trauma, but it can involve other teeth as well. Early ankylosis can lead to noticeable differences in eruption and alignment depending on when the fusion begins. Diagnosis typically relies on a clinical exam and dental radiographs to assess how the tooth relates to the jaw.
Treatment depends on the severity and the child's developmental stage and may range from careful monitoring to surgical or orthodontic management. In some cases the affected tooth is removed to allow normal eruption of adjacent teeth and to guide jaw growth, while other cases can be managed with space-maintaining solutions or orthodontic guidance. Your pediatric dentist will review the risks and benefits of each option and coordinate care with an orthodontist when needed.
Ectopic canines erupt outside their normal position and are often visible as a bulge in the buccal vestibule or high in the gum tissue. When a canine is impacted it can be guided into place with coordinated surgical and orthodontic techniques, such as surgical exposure and attachment of a small gold chain or wire. Over several months the tooth is gently moved into the proper position using braces or clear aligners as appropriate. Treatment planning typically includes radiographs to determine position and relationship to neighboring teeth.
Early evaluation is important because interceptive measures can sometimes reduce the complexity of later orthodontic work. If the canine is severely displaced or affects adjacent roots, a combined approach with an oral surgeon and orthodontist provides the best outcome. Families should expect regular monitoring and adjustments over the course of treatment, which allows the team to respond to tooth movement and growth changes.
Dental fluorosis is an enamel developmental condition caused by excessive fluoride exposure while teeth are forming. Mild fluorosis usually appears as faint white streaks or specks, while moderate to severe forms can produce pitting or brown discoloration of the enamel. Children are most at risk because their permanent teeth form during early childhood, and common sources include swallowed toothpaste, high-fluoride supplements, and other excessive fluoride intake. Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and a history of fluoride exposure during tooth development.
Prevention focuses on supervising young children during brushing, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and following pediatric dental guidance about supplements. If cosmetic concerns arise, modern pediatric dental techniques can often lighten or remove stains and restore a natural appearance in a single appointment when appropriate. Your dentist can recommend preventive steps and treatment options tailored to your child's needs.
A mesiodens is the most common type of supernumerary tooth and typically appears between the upper front teeth, most often identified in early childhood. Many mesiodens remain unerupted and can interfere with the normal eruption or alignment of the permanent incisors. Surgical removal is commonly recommended once the adjacent permanent teeth have about two-thirds root development, often between ages 7 and 9, to minimize disruption to eruption. Early evaluation with clinical and radiographic examination helps determine the optimal timing for intervention.
Untreated mesiodens can cause delayed eruption, crowding, or displacement of permanent teeth, and they can complicate later orthodontic treatment. Removal is usually performed as a brief outpatient procedure, with follow-up visits to monitor eruption of the front teeth. After extraction, the dental team will assess whether orthodontic guidance or additional treatment is needed to support proper alignment.
A mucocele is a benign soft-tissue bump that forms when a small salivary gland duct ruptures and mucus accumulates beneath the surface, most commonly on the lower lip. These bumps are typically painless and may intermittently burst and then refill, which can be frustrating for a child and caregiver. While some mucoceles resolve on their own, they frequently recur if the underlying duct injury persists. Clinical examination is generally sufficient for diagnosis, although the dentist may review the lesion's history and appearance to rule out other conditions.
Surgical removal of the lesion and the affected gland is often recommended to prevent recurrence, and the procedure is usually straightforward in a pediatric setting. Minor lesions that are asymptomatic may be observed for a short period, but persistent or recurrent mucoceles are best treated to restore comfort and function. Avoiding lip-biting and managing habits that injure the lip can help reduce the chance of new lesions forming.
An open bite occurs when the upper and lower front teeth do not touch when the jaws are closed, while a posterior cross bite affects the back teeth and causes the upper teeth to fit inside the lower teeth on one or both sides. Both problems can stem from habits such as thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting, from differences in jaw growth, or from dental alignment issues. If left untreated, these bite discrepancies can lead to uneven tooth wear, jaw shifts, and difficulty with chewing or speech. Early recognition allows for less invasive and more effective intervention during growth.
Treatment options vary by cause and severity and may include habit-breaking appliances, removable or fixed orthodontic expansion devices, or braces to correct dental alignment. In growing children, interceptive orthodontic care can guide jaw development and reduce the need for more complex treatment later. Your pediatric dentist will evaluate growth patterns, dental development, and habits to recommend the most appropriate, individualized approach.
A pulpotomy is a common pediatric dental procedure performed when a primary (baby) tooth has extensive decay or inflammation that affects the top portion of the nerve but leaves the root canals healthy. The procedure removes the irritated coronal pulp while preserving the remaining nerve tissue to maintain the tooth's function and position. Pulpotomies help keep space for the underlying permanent tooth and can prevent premature loss of primary teeth, which is important for proper dental development. Success rates for pulpotomy procedures typically range from about 60 percent to 90 percent depending on case selection and follow-up.
After the pulpotomy, the tooth is restored with a filling or crown to protect it and restore chewing function, and periodic follow-up is necessary to confirm healing and continued root development of adjacent teeth. At Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics we evaluate each case carefully to determine whether a pulpotomy or an alternative approach, such as extraction, is in the child's best interest. The pediatric dental team will explain the expected outcomes, potential risks, and the follow-up schedule to monitor long-term success.
You should schedule an evaluation whenever your child experiences persistent tooth pain, swelling, fever, visible white or brown spots on teeth, delayed eruption, or any traumatic dental injury. Other reasons to contact the dentist include recurring mouth sores, a tooth that is loose for no obvious reason, or changes in bite or speech that may indicate an underlying problem. Timely assessment allows the dental team to identify issues early, when treatment is often simpler and more effective. If you are unsure whether a symptom requires immediate attention, a quick call can help determine the best next step.
At Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics the initial visit begins with a thorough exam and appropriate radiographs to clarify the diagnosis, followed by a clear treatment plan and recommendations for follow-up. The team will coordinate care with specialists such as orthodontists or oral surgeons when complex problems require multidisciplinary management. Early detection and regular preventive visits are key to reducing future complications and supporting healthy dental development.
In the event of dental trauma remain calm and assess the situation quickly: control any bleeding with gentle pressure, locate the tooth if it has been knocked out, and avoid touching the tooth root. If the tooth is a permanent tooth and can be handled safely, gently rinse it with water (do not scrub) and try to reinsert it into the socket if possible, or keep it moist in milk or saline while you seek immediate dental care. Primary (baby) teeth should not be reimplanted because doing so can damage the developing permanent tooth. Prompt attention by a pediatric dental team improves the chances of successful outcomes and appropriate follow-up.
After initial management, the dentist will take radiographs and determine whether splinting, monitoring, or further treatment is needed, and will schedule follow-up visits to check healing and tooth vitality. For injuries that involve fractures or displacement of teeth, treatment plans are tailored to the child's age and the nature of the injury. If there is any facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding, seek emergency medical care in addition to contacting the dental office.
Preventing developmental dental problems starts with early and regular dental care, including a first visit by age one and routine checkups thereafter to monitor growth and eruption. Good home habits—such as supervised twice-daily brushing with an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste, limiting frequent sugary snacks and drinks, and avoiding prolonged bottle or sippy cup use—reduce the risk of decay and alignment issues. Preventive treatments like fluoride varnish and dental sealants can protect susceptible teeth, while early orthodontic assessments identify growth patterns that may benefit from interceptive care. Consistent communication between caregivers and the pediatric dental team supports a proactive approach to oral health.
An individualized prevention plan considers a child’s diet, oral hygiene, habit history, and family risk factors to minimize future problems. When jaw or tooth development suggests possible orthodontic needs, early intervention can often simplify later treatment and improve long-term outcomes. Protective measures such as properly fitted mouthguards for sports further reduce the chance of traumatic injuries that can complicate dental development.
Ready to schedule your child’s next dental visit or have questions about our services?
Contacting Myers Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is simple! Our friendly team is here to help with scheduling appointments, explaining treatments, and answering any questions you may have. Whether you’d like to call, email, or use our easy online form, we’re ready to make your child’s dental experience positive and stress-free. Reach out today and give your little one a healthy, happy smile!
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