My childs permanent tooth is coming in behind his baby tooth! What should I do?
A. The eruption of the lower permanent incisors behind or lingual to the retained primary incisors is often a source of concern for parents. In some instances, the root has resorbed and the tooth is held only by soft tissues. In other instances, the roots may not have undergone normal resorption and the teeth are solidly in place. Keep in mind that this is a common and normal occurrence. The tongue and continued bone growth play an important role in influencing the permanent tooth into a more normal position with time. In some cases, removal of the baby tooth is recommended. It has been suggested that if this condition is identified before 7.5 years of age, it is unnecessary to remove the primary teeth because the problem will self-correct within a few months. In an older child, extraction would be the course of treatment.
