A tooth growing in front of another tooth, often creating a double row of teeth, typically happens when a permanent tooth starts to come in before the existing baby tooth has fallen out. This is a relatively common occurrence during the transition from primary (baby) teeth to permanent teeth.
Understanding "Shark Tooth"
This dental phenomenon is frequently referred to as "shark tooth" because the appearance of a new tooth behind or in front of a retained baby tooth resembles the multi-row dentition found in sharks.
The Process Behind It
During childhood, children have a set of baby teeth. As they grow, these baby teeth become loose and eventually fall out, making way for the permanent teeth to erupt. However, sometimes the permanent tooth begins its eruption process before the roots of the baby tooth have fully dissolved.
- Baby Tooth Retention: The baby tooth remains firmly in place.
- Permanent Tooth Eruption: The permanent tooth, following its growth path, erupts behind or in front of the retained baby tooth.
This creates the visible "double row" effect.
When Does This Happen?
According to the reference, this condition is relatively common especially during the mixed dentition stage.
- Mixed Dentition Stage: This is the period when a child has a mix of both baby and permanent teeth, typically occurring between the ages of approximately 6 and 12.
It is during this transitional stage that the timing between baby tooth exfoliation (falling out) and permanent tooth eruption can sometimes be slightly off, leading to the shark tooth appearance.
Common Locations
While shark tooth can occur with any teeth, it is most commonly seen with the lower front incisors (bottom front teeth) and sometimes the upper back molars.
It's important to note that while common, it's generally recommended to have a dentist assess the situation, especially if the baby tooth does not become loose soon after the permanent tooth appears. In many cases, the baby tooth will eventually fall out on its own once the permanent tooth applies pressure, but sometimes assistance from a dentist is needed.
