Delay in tooth eruption

Delay in tooth eruption

A delay of up to 12 months maybe less important in a healthy child (1).

Causes of delay include:

• localised delays - tooth in the path of eruption, insufficient space in the dental arch, or dental infection
• iatrogenic - cytotoxic therapy, radiotherapy?
• uncommon or rare systemic causes
  • Down's syndrome
  • Cleidocranial dysplasia
  • congenital hypopituitarism
  • congenital hypothyroidism (1)
  • infantile rickets
  • Gardener's syndrome (2)

Reference:

• 1. Holt R et al. ABC of oral health. Oral health and disease. BMJ. 2000;320(7250):1652-1655
• 2. Ashley MP. Personal View: It's only teething... A report of the myths and modern approaches to teething. British Dental Journal 2001;1914 - 8