Fused Teeth in Kids: Las Vegas Dentist Guide

What Are Fused Teeth in Kids?

A fused baby tooth may look like one extra-wide tooth or two teeth joined side by side. The shape can vary from child to child.

Parents may notice:

• A wider-than-usual tooth
• A groove or line across the tooth
• A notch along the biting edge
• An uneven or unusual crown shape
• Less space between nearby teeth

The visible appearance does not reveal exactly how the tooth developed below the gumline. The roots, pulp tissue, and internal canals can vary.

For that reason, parents should not assume that every unusually wide tooth is fused.

What is the difference between tooth fusion and gemination?

Fusion and Gemination may appear quite similar in nature since each of these results in an abnormally wide tooth.

In case of fused tooth, the tooth buds fuse themselves to create a wide tooth.

While in the case of geminated tooth, the tooth bud starts dividing without getting separated.

The number of teeth in the mouth is one such factor which a children dentist can take into consideration. While fusion may lead to one less tooth, gemination does not affect the tooth count.

Can fusion affect both baby teeth and permanent teeth?

Yes. Fusion can happen to both primary and permanent teeth but is usually seen more in the primary dentition.

In cases of fused baby tooth, a dentist for children can also keep an eye on the permanent tooth forming below the fused tooth.

How Does a Las Vegas Pediatric Dentist Check Fused Teeth?

What will the dentist examine?

During the examination, the dentist may look at:

• The width and shape of the tooth
• Grooves, pits, or notches
• The number and position of nearby teeth
• Gum health around the tooth
• Plaque or food collecting in grooves
• Spacing between teeth
• The child's bite
• Tooth eruption patterns
• Signs of cavities
• Pain, sensitivity, or swelling

Moreover, the dentist can compare the tooth with the tooth that matches it on the opposite side of the mouth.

There is no visible characteristic that can guarantee fusion in all cases.