Our 14 yr old DD adult lateral incisors never grew - what option did you go for?

[Nabu]

My husband has been overseeing the appointments to the dentist and Orthodontist. I went along to get my 14 year old DD's braces fitted and I learnt for the first time that they have a hereditary condition where her adult lateral incisors will never grow. My husband said the only options they were given was do nothing or have braces out in and for the canines to be shaped as lateral incisors. My concern is the canines are very pointy so if they are shaped and filed down they would be tint!

Having bow done some reading it appears she could have a bridge or implants put in instead but my husband was certain this was not an option given to her. What do we do next? Fortunately the braces were just fitted yesterday - is it too late to revise her options. They did have to take one baby tooth out before having the braces put in. Thanks in advance, just really panicking that the current procedure might not be in the best interest for our DD.

Sorry that should read as.."My concern is the canines are very pointy so if they are shaped and filed down they would be tint!"

Tiny!

I had similar although had a mini incisor grow on one side - had that removed, a brace and then the canines shaped as incisors - this was 35 years ago its been just find

I had exactly the same as pp, a mini incisor on one side and none on the other.

I had the little one removed, braces and then the canine reshaped. It was basically just the end of the point was filed off. Never caused any problems with eating and doesn't look too different. No one has ever noticed until I point it out.

Thank you Selfesteem22 and EleanorShell that is reassuring to hear. It is such a worry making decisions on behalf of your children. Our DD prefers to have her own teeth only but would consider other options if it was felt that was better. Its just that the canines are very pointy and if filed they would still have a gap between it and the central tooth. It would be nice if the Orthodontist could give an example of what it will look like. Thanks once again and glad to hear it worked for you both.

My DS had one incisor missing. He’s had braces and looks fine. Before it was a bit odd. He got NHS braces as they rated it a severe issue. You wouldn’t notice it.

A dentist would immediately notice the issue, but DS is happy and has no hang ups.

I had my lateral incisors removed when I was nine as my mouth was overcrowded.
When I go for dentists check up they count my teeth, then go back and recount as the hadn't noticed they were missing.
I have no gaps though.

Thank you very much for your reply and photo, that is really reassuring. Our DD teeth are very uneven - hopefully things will look better as the braces do their job. DD seems to be in quite a bit if pain with them today. I will speak to them about that also next week. Thnaks once again.

My daughter doesn't have lateral incisors. She had had a brace for a year to make the gaps. She currently has 2 prosthetic teeth attached to the brace. She is having her bridge teeth made and they will be bonded to the canines. When she is an adult she can have implants or keep the bridge.

Rowgtfc72 oh never realised they removed them when overcrowded. Glad to hear they look ok. It is amazing what they can do. Thnaks for your reply, it is greatly appreciated.

Admittedly, I know nothing about this because I've never come across this. I don't know anyone with this problem. But both of mine have just finished with braces, which I paid for privately because they didn't get it on the NHS made me very angry.

My advice is to make an appointment with the orthodontist ASAP and discuss options before the braces even start to do their work. discuss what can be done and whether you need a bridge or what can be done. I find your husbands view quite dismissive and I think you should act immediately, and at least talk to the orthodontist about possible solutions .

I have this. My childhood dentist removed my baby lateral incisors to let my canines move forward, but there was still a gap so I had implants in my late 20s, which have been a total success.

somethingischasingme thanks for your reply. That is what I had read about also. I assumed that would have been an option but ny husband said the Orthodontist did bot suggest that to them at the consultation. I am really confused as to why not. I will ask them Monday as there might be reason it can't be done for her. Thanks once again.

OP, the options are
do nothing
close space
close space and reshape canines
make space and bridge
make space and implant

none of them are wrong, it's just the lifetime cost consideration...eg. Option 3 is unlikely to fail and if it does, 99.9% of people wouldn't notice.

option 5 may have the best aesthetics but it's EXPENSIVE and has lifetime maintenance costs.

my step daughter had her spaces closed. Don't think she had the teeth reshaped and you wouldn't know tbh.

Mine grew just fine, but I had overcrowding and one lateral incisor was removed as it was felt the root was too weak for braces (it was actually just bent over, but oh well!). They pared down the canine and it looks absolutely fine.

For what it's worth, I'm glad I just have my own teeth and nothing that needs to be maintained or replaced. Less time in the dentist chair is always a pro for me!

My 2, both had naturally very small lateral incisors unfortunately. But orthodontist said he could bring them down further. And push the 2 front teeth (central insisor) back up, because they had come down more than they should of. So it all evened out. Very pleased with end result.

Oblomov22 thank you. I will email them tomorrow and see if we can have a discussion. my husband just said we went with what the Orthodontist advised. I did say he should have asked for ALL the options. He was informed the Orthodontist was going to discuss with his team and they concluded this was the best option. I was aware some adult teeth had not grown through bit I assumed they would come though later (as our children all lost their baby teeth later than their friends/peers) but when the Orthodontist doing the braces confirmed it was a hereditary condition and they will never grow through! I will definitely chase this to be sure they are the correct option for her. Thanks!

My DD14 has no adult lateral incisors. Took an X-ray to confirm. She has braces now to close the gaps. Orthodontist suggested we wait and see how well braces work before deciding what if anything next. I'm also letting DD take the lead on what she wants with absolutely no pressure to have anything done.

MrsMorton thank you for the various options. I think the issue is I wasnt there so have bo idea what was discussed. DD can't remember and DH just says well that's what the Orthodontist says...when I ask him have they said what happens next he just said they will shape the canines - but my worry is they are so pointy it will be very short once filed. I assume they will put vaneers on? I need to speak to them asap as no one in the family has a clue!

Thank you everyone. I think when I speak to the Orthodontist to get more information it will help me understand what they are doing exactly and whether we go for the bridge/implant route. I am worried they wont let her change due to having already put the braces on!

I don't have a veneer on my shaved canine. It looks absolutely fine, and like I said I'm glad I don't have to worry about a bridge or implant.

JenniferBarkley perhaps I am overthinking it all. I am trying to process that her adult teeth haven't all come through, I was informed they were missing but assumed they were still coming through as she lost her baby teeth very late. I just hope that her pointy canines will look ok when shaved. Really glad to hear yours look ok, that is reassuring. I am nervous about making the wrong decision for her. Thanks once again.

soupmaker thanks for your reply. What options are there once the gap closes? Our DD hasn't any idea what she would like to do, but does have concerns about going down the implants route as she is worried they will cause further complications or side effects.