Does anyone have the same problem as I do?


Question:
I'm 22 yrs. old and I still have 3 of my baby teeth. I did have 7 others up until about 5 yrs. ago. I gradually started losing them, and when they would fall out, I had no adult teeth underneath to grow in. So as you can imagine I'm left with gaps all throughout my mouth.And I recently noticed that the other 3 baby teeth left, are also about to come out and their all on the bottom and all beside each other. When I was growing up, I only had 22 teeth grow in, when originally your suppose to have 32. I never got my molors or any of my back teeth. I had x-rays done, and their not even there. Weird I know. So now my only option is to either get dental implants or go the cheaper route and get dentures. All of the dentists that I have been to, cant come up with a solution of why my adult teeth were never there. Does anyone have a suggestion that might help, or any ideas of what might have caused this?

Answers:
You're definitely not the only one with this problem, even my co-worker at a dental office I worked with had this problem. Your condition is called hypodontia. You can search for more information on google about it. Most people are usually missing 2 or 4 teeth (often the same ones, like all wisdom teeth, or 2 lateral incisors (the teeth that are right beside your front ones)), but in rare conditions people can have several teeth missing. Unfortunately, there really isn't any specific reason why this happens but it can all be traced back to when you were a fetus and your tooth buds started developing.
Genetics lead to the baby teeth left without any adult teeth under them. Three of my four children have one retained baby tooth each and that is what I have and I remember my mom saying something about my granma having a baby tooth left in her mouth. Lots of people can keep the baby tooth with minimal problems throughout their life - at least that is what my dentist has told me. I don't know about people with more than one or two retained baby teeth, I know that you don't want dentures at your young age even though it is more cost effective and that is always a big thing for my family. There are dentists who work with payment plans and I have a new credit line with CareCredit for dental and oral surgeon and ortho. Good luck.
Unfortunately, some people are just born without teeth. There is an intern where I work that never grew any incisers. Her sister did not grow any bottom teeth at all. So obviously its genetic but I do not think that scientists know exactly why this happens but it does. As far as getting either implants or dentures. You got the basic idea. Dentures are the cheap thing to do, but just keep in mind that although implants are much more expensive they will definatly be better for you in the long run. I myself have two missing teeth and although I do not have the money, I am saving what ever I can and cutting any corners I can to get implants. That is how much I recommend them. So, you arent some freak of nature that has no teeth, just remember its normal for some people and dont feel weird about it okay? Im in the same boat! Good luck and seriously, think about the implants!!
You're still so young and I'm sure you would not be happy going the denture route. I'm wondering if someone in your family either on your maternal or paternal side had this same problem, it definitely sounds hereditary, and it may have appeared way back with your ancestors. Why it happened to you, only God knows that. It sounds like those teeth are not going to appear any time soon so you will have to decide how those spaces are going to be filled with teeth that look as natural as possible. You must think about how to pay for the dental work you will need, you need 10 teeth and if you go for dental implants, which I suggest for you, it will be expensive. It will take time to do all the work, so you need to be financially able to pay the dentist. If you have any dental insurance I would call and find out about it and I would even think that because you were born with this unusual condition, it is congenital there may be some provisions concerning this. You need those teeth in your mouth. If you have a dental college in your area, part of a university I would go speak to someone there, pay a visit to them personally maybe they will be able to help you or direct you to where to go, maybe even find a dentist to do the work for a nominal fee but you must go out there and find out. I'm surprised that your dentist did not help you, this is an ususual case. I wish you all the best and I believe you'll get those teeth you so desperately need. Just be patient.( Remember you need these teeth not only for cosmetic purposes but in order to eat properly, so it is a medical necessity).
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