Facts for Parents About Abnormal Teeth Growth

If you have any questions or concerns about how your child’s teeth are developing, schedule an appointment with us today. We strive to provide the highest quality of pediatric dental care in a comfortable environment.

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Kimberly C.

We had a very positive experience with Dental Anesthesia Center. Dr. Thoms and his entire staff were kind, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process. My child has special needs, and as an anxious mom, I truly appreciated how compassionate and reassuring everyone was. We were referred to Dr. Thoms by our child’s dentist, and they took the time to explain everything while genuinely wanting to do what was best for my son. Communication was excellent throughout the procedure, which helped ease a lot of my anxiety. The office staff, including the ladies who handled the payment process, were just as kind and helpful, and I never felt pressured when discussing treatment or costs. The cost was more than we anticipated and definitely an unexpected expense, but my child’s needs always come first. Most importantly, my son seemed very comfortable afterward, did not appear to be in pain, and was eating an hour after the procedure. I don’t give perfect scores lightly, but I would absolutely recommend Dr. Thoms and his team to other families, especially parents of children with special needs.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and kind words. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide care and appreciate you trusting our team. Wishing you and your family all the best!

Dave K.

As a 75 year old man, I have been to several dentist’s and none compare to Dr. Thoms and Dr. Behl. The entire staff is very knowledgeable and accommodating. I have had some major work done and I/V sedation is definitely the way to go. Five stars to the entire team at DAC. I highly recommend their services.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We truly appreciate your trust in our team. It’s always our goal to provide comfortable, high-quality care to every patient.

Chris H.

Great staff, and great experience!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star review—we truly appreciate your support!

Keith T.

They were very professional. And fortunately, I don’t remember anything else!!

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Leeann P.

Very professional!! Dr Thom is amazing! Staff takes wonderful care of me!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your feedback and are grateful for the opportunity to provide a positive experience.

As a parent, you always want what is best for your child. As you watch them grow and develop, you want to make sure they are growing and developing correctly. This is true when it comes to their teeth.

If you notice any teeth abnormalities as your child’s teeth develop, don’t be alarmed. Dental abnormalities, such as ectopic teeth, are relatively common. In fact, as many as 40% of people develop tooth abnormalities. Both genetic and environmental factors cause teeth to grow in abnormal ways.

Types of Abnormal Teeth Growth

When a tooth grows in the wrong place, it is called an ectopic tooth. Ectopic refers to an object or organ that is growing in an unusual place. When it comes to teeth, it can mean that a tooth erupted in an abnormal location, or it can mean that a tooth grew in the right place but is misaligned. An example of this would be a canine tooth that sits too high in the gum line or points outward.

Ectopic teeth can be detected with an x-ray, even before the teeth erupt. Most ectopic teeth do not cause issues and can be left alone. Others need to be watched as they grow in, as some misaligned teeth will self-correct.

Regular dental checkups for your child are important for many reasons. For children with ectopic teeth, it is important that their dentist monitor the development as ectopic teeth can lead to problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and misalignment of other teeth. As with other dental issues, the earlier ectopic teeth are treated, the easier treatment will be.

What Are Shark Teeth?

Have you heard the term “shark teeth” used? It is one type of ectopic teeth. Shark teeth occur when a permanent tooth grows in before the primary teeth fall out. It can be one or more than one tooth. But it creates a double row of teeth, just like that of a shark. It is more commonly seen with the incisors but can also occur with the molars.

As the permanent tooth starts to grow under the primary tooth, it dissolves the baby tooth’s roots, becomes loose, and then falls out. In theory, this makes space for the permanent tooth. However, sometimes that shark tooth will grow at an angle and will either not dissolve the baby tooth’s roots or grow straight once the baby tooth has fallen out.

Treatment of shark teeth depends on whether or not the permanent tooth moves into the correct position once the primary tooth falls out. If the permanent tooth has completely erupted, but the primary tooth does not fall out, this is typically resolved by extracting the primary tooth to create space for the permanent tooth.

St. Louis Pediatric Dentistry

If you have any questions or concerns about how your child’s teeth are developing, schedule an appointment with us today. We strive to provide the highest quality of pediatric dental care in a comfortable environment. We provide children with special needs comprehensive dental care in a safe setting.