Ankylosis is a condition in the mouth that occurs when a tooth fuses with the jawbone preventing it from erupting at the normal rate. It is a fairly common condition seen mostly in the lower molars but its exact causes are unknown. The ankylosed tooth does not emerge properly, giving it a submerged appearance which also causes other teeth to emerge in incorrect positions.
Recent research into ankylosis has found that one to three per cent of children suffer from the condition with one or more primary teeth. Other studies put that percentage at nearly 40 highlighting the difficulties caused by ankylosis, namely that because it is not understood it is very difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat. What is certain however is that ankylosis can occur during any stage of the eruption of permanent teeth.
Although ankylosis is notoriously difficult to diagnose, certain signs are easier to spot than others. A submerged tooth mirrored by an overgrown tooth on the opposite dental arc is a tell-tale sign. Many dentists attempt to diagnose ankylosed teeth by tapping the enamel, as they resonate differently to normal teeth. Suspected ankylosed teeth can be x-rayed and repositioned by dental surgery if necessary. A City of Leeds dentist will examine the possible effects of the ankylosed tooth before making any decisions to move it. It is important to consider all options as ankylosed teeth can cause extremely painful alterations to bite, which can lead to jaw, head and neck pain.
Dentists will usually be able to spot ankylosis over the course of several dental check ups as they watch the teeth develop. For this reason it is important that children and young adults with emerging teeth regularly see a dentist to monitor this and other dental conditions.
Tags: Ankylosis, lost teeth, primary teeth
