Tooth formation - delayed or absent
Delayed or absent tooth formation; Teeth - delayed or absent formation; Oligodontia; Anodontia; Hypodontia; Delayed dental development; Delayed tooth eruption; Late tooth eruption; Delayed dental eruption; Congenitally missing tooth
When a person's teeth grow in, they may be delayed or not occur at all.
The structure of the tooth includes dentin, pulp and other tissues, blood vessels and nerves imbedded in the bony jaw. Above the gum line, the tooth is protected by the hard enamel covering.
Both baby teeth (deciduous or milk teeth) and permanent teeth have fairly well-defined times of eruption. The ages listed are the normal ages that a baby tooth emerges. Upper central incisors and upper lateral incisors erupt by 8 to 10 months. Upper canines (cuspids) erupt by 16 to 20 months. Upper first molars erupt by 15 to 21 months. Upper second molars erupt by 20 to 24 months. Lower central incisors erupt by 6 to 9 months. Lower lateral incisors erupt by 15 to 21 months. Lower canines (cuspids) erupt by 15 to 21 months. Lower first molars erupt by 15 to 21 months. Lower second molars erupt by 20 to 24 months.
Both baby and permanent teeth have fairly well-defined times of eruption. The ages listed are the typical ages that an adult tooth has fully emerged. Upper and lower central incisors erupt by the 7th year. Upper and lower lateral incisors erupt by the 8th year. Upper and lower canines (cuspids) erupt by 11th to 12th year. Upper and lower first premolars (bicuspids) erupt by the 9th year. Upper and lower second premolars (bicuspids) erupt by the 10th year. Upper and lower first molars erupt by the 6th year. Upper and lower second molars erupt by the 12th to 13th year. Upper and lower third molars erupt by the 17th to 25th year.
Considerations
The age at which a tooth comes in varies. Most infants get their first tooth between 4 and 8 months, but it may be earlier or later.
Causes
Specific diseases can affect tooth shape, tooth color, when they grow in, or tooth absence. Delayed or absent tooth formation can result from many different conditions, including:
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Talk to your health care provider if your child has not developed any teeth by 9 months of age.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The provider will perform a physical exam. This will include a detailed look at your child's mouth and gums. You will be asked questions such as:
- In what order did the teeth emerge?
- At what age did other family members develop teeth?
- Are any other family members missing teeth that never "came in"?
- What other symptoms are present?
An infant with delayed or absent tooth formation may have other symptoms and signs that indicate a specific medical condition.
Medical tests are not often needed. Most of the time, delayed tooth formation is normal. Dental x-rays may be done.
Sometimes, children or adults are missing teeth they never developed. Cosmetic or orthodontic dentistry can correct this problem.
References
Dhar V. Development and developmental anomalies of the teeth. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 333.
Dinneen L, Slovis TL. The mandible. In: Coley BD, ed. Caffey's Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 22.
Turner EG, Dean JA. Eruption of the teeth: local, systemic, and congenital factors that influence the process. In: Dean JA, ed. McDonald and Avery's Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent. 11th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 20.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 3/31/2024
Reviewed by: Michael Kapner, DDS, General Dentistry, Norwalk Medical Center, Norwalk CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
