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Dental and Oral Health (Children)

My son getting an extra front tooth

06/24/2008

Question:

Hi,

I just noticed that yesterday my 4 year old son is getting an extra front tooth. He already has his two front baby teeth. He does however, have this huge gap in between the two front teeth and I`ve always been worried that there will be a third addition. Now my worry of a third is coming true.

I read that it could be a hereditary trait. I also had extra teeth as a teenager but was later extracted. So, can children have a third front tooth and what should I do?

Answer:

Thank you for the questions. The best immediate treatment is to have your son seen by a pediatric dentist. There is a possibility that this could in fact be an 'extra tooth' which is known as a MESIODENS, and can impact the eruption and development of his adult front teeth.

I hope this helps!

For more information:

Go to the Dental and Oral Health (Children) health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Sarath Thikkurissy, DDS, MS Sarath Thikkurissy, DDS, MS
Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry
College of Dentistry
The Ohio State University