[rrs357m]

My two year old had pulpotomies on both upper inscisors, later those had gone bad, as the dentist had failed to get all of the decay, which subsequently spread to the adjoining teeth, and in the x-ray, the decay was even with the level of the permanent teeth coming in, which gave the dentist some pause. He said that he may need implants when he was older. Our child had all four teeth completely removed, and a flipper appliance until he was in the first grade, and it broke. Now, he is seven, and we can see the outline of permanent teeth against his gums, but they have not progressed for several months. Do we need to get implants or dental services to help our child? Or will these teeth that have come so far finish the trip and be normal on their own?

[flossie]

You should ask your dentist to take a Panorex x-ray. It will show the positioning of all your son's teeth, both primary and permanent teeth. What may be the problem is that there is not enough room at the front to allow the adult teeth to erupt where they should. If you can see the teeth against the gums they are there wanting to come in. Every child is different with his/her eruption patterns, he may just need a bit more time.

As for implants... not until your son is 18 yrs old as the teeth and bone are not fully developed by then. I cannot imagine a well qualified dentist even suggesting implants be done before that age.