Tooth eruption is a phase of development in which teeth erupts through jaw in oral cavity. Various phases of tooth eruption are: Pre-eruptive phase, Eruptive phase and Post eruptive phase.
Delayed dentition is defined as when concurrent tooth in the adjacent quadrant has erupted or when there is a delay of over 6 months after the defined normal eruption time visit www.cuddleschildclinic.com
Causes can be
1) Local condition:- a) trauma surgery like of mucosal injury
b) oral cavity tumours
c) radiation damage
d) oral clefts
2) Systemic condition:-
a) prematurity- itself causes delayed growth and development which can affect dentition too.
b) malnutrition- it affects skeletal growth causing tooth eruption problem due to poor nutrition.
c) vitamin D resistant rickets- hypo-phosphatemic rickets also causing delayed dentition beyond first year of life.
d) endocrine disorders:- disturbances of endocrine glands have profound effect on body like in
case of hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, pseudohypoparathyroidism
e) HIV infection- delayed dentition is related to HIV infection also
f) cerebral palsy- it is a motor disorder due to abnormality of immature brain and is related to
delayed dentition
g) Celiac disease- gluten intolerance
h) Icthyosis- it is a hereditary disorder characterized by accumulation of hyperkeratotic scales on
skin surface.
3) Genetic conditions:- like Down syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Osteopatrosis etc.
Reassurance is the first step in delayed dentition as most of the cases of apparent delay are within the normal range.
Evaluation:-
a) Proper history and examination- which includes oral cavity examination, teeth examination and systemic examination.
Investigations:
a) Blood investigations to rule out any underlying infection
b) Vitamin D levels
c) Calcium and phosphorous level
d) Hormonal analysis to check any developmental delay
Treatment:- treat the underlying cause of poor dentition.