Fused teeth. Anyone else?

kah01009

DD's right, top central and lateral incisors are fused (joined at the very top...can't see unless you try to get floss up there. The only sign is that that front tooth is narrower than the other one). A dentist visit a while back confirmed it, saying it's nothing to worry about, but I'm wondering if any other LOs had this. If so, what was your experience with adult teeth? Thanks!

rdhmama79

We have fused teeth over here!  M's lower right central and lateral incisors are fused.  It's not a problem for the primary teeth, but our kiddos may have trouble with crowding in the permanent teeth.  The roots of the baby teeth help to guide the permanent teeth into the right position.  In the case of fused teeth, there is usually abnormal root anatomy (sometimes one root for both teeth), and the permanent teeth in that area could erupt in funky places.

Isn't one of the mamas on this board a dentist?  Maybe she could chime in here.

kah01009

rdhmama79:

We have fused teeth over here!  M's lower right central and lateral incisors are fused.  It's not a problem for the primary teeth, but our kiddos may have trouble with crowding in the permanent teeth.  The roots of the baby teeth help to guide the permanent teeth into the right position.  In the case of fused teeth, there is usually abnormal root anatomy (sometimes one root for both teeth), and the permanent teeth in that area could erupt in funky places.

Isn't one of the mamas on this board a dentist?  Maybe she could chime in here.

Yes, I'd love to hear her take! Thanks for the additional info. I've been doing my own research b/c while our pedi dentist is pretty great, she is SO laid back about it that I felt like I needed more info. Crowding and braces etc. don't worry me, but some of the research says that there could be only one adult tooth in place of the two fused baby teeth. I'm wondering what our chances of this will be. It's pretty rare, from what I can find. Thank goodness it's something so harmless! Cosmetic, at most. 

kah01009

gwinnygirl:

I've actually never heard of this in children, though I do think my aunt had problems with it later in life. 

Also, your DD lets you floss?! I'm jealous!

Seriously, though, hope it works out okay. 

The flossing is rare, lol! B/c they're fused at the very top, she's more prone to cavities there, so I try to floss whenever possible. The fused teeth is actually more common in baby teeth, from what I can find (research-wise), and the roots are different for adult teeth, so we may not have any issues. Fingers crossed!