11yr old and molars

yellow hen

HAs anyone any experience with their child's first molar not coming down? Dentist said one of the molars didn't show in the x-ray and he can't feel it so said we've to go to orthodontist. My dentist can be a little OTT so just wondering if I need to be concerned yet or is he still a little young.

CityDenalCentre

Children go through various phases of dental development. The primary teeth (baby teeth) typically fall out starting around age 6, making way for permanent teeth, including the first molars. If a child is still losing primary teeth or has recently lost them, this might explain why the first molar has not yet erupted.

If a dentist cannot feel or see a tooth on an X-ray, it may indicate several possibilities:

• Impaction: The tooth may be impacted beneath the gums due to lack of space or positioning.
• Ankylosis: This condition occurs when a tooth becomes fused to the bone and does not erupt properly.
• Congenital Absence: In some cases, a tooth may simply not develop at all due to genetic factors.

At this stage (around age 7), your child is still within the typical age range for first molar eruption. Therefore, while it’s good to monitor the situation closely, immediate concern may not be warranted unless other symptoms arise (such as pain or swelling).

while it’s understandable to feel concerned about your child’s dental development, there are many reasons why a first molar might not have erupted yet that are within normal limits. Consulting with an orthodontist will provide clarity on whether any treatment or monitoring is necessary moving forward.