My baby teeth didn’t really come out but my adult teeth came in behind my baby teeth. I’m sixteen now and they have been this way for several years. Is there anything I can do to fix this? I’m embarrassed to smile.

Kylie

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Dear Kylie,

First, let me assure you that this can be fixed. You will not have to be embarrassed about your smile. The baby teeth that have adult teeth which erupted behind them will need to be removed. Then you will need braces to straighten the teeth out. It’s always possible that you would need some adult teeth out too. Not definitely but it is always a possibility.

The best practice when you have adult teeth coming in and the baby teeth are not coming out, is for your pediatric dentist to remove those teeth in order to make room for your permanent teeth. You said it has been this way for years. If you’ve been seeing a dentist regularly and he or she left you like this, then you need a better dentist.

Once the baby teeth are removed and you start orthodontics, you will feel a lot better about your smile. There are so many things we can do these days in order to get the smile we want. But, you will need to find a dentist who is more attentive with your oral healthcare.

You don’t have to see a children’s dentist. You’re old enough to see a general dentist. Your writing and question indicates you are mature enough as well.

This blog is brought to you by a friendly Parma Dentist Dr. Rebecca Gecovich.