Will My Child’s Permanent Teeth Come In Straight? Understanding Tooth Eruption, Crooked Teeth & Early Orthodontics

A common question I hear from parents and even some adults is, "Do permanent teeth straighten themselves out?" It's a great question, and understanding the answer can shed light on the importance of early orthodontic treatment and evaluations.

The short answer is... not necessarily. While it's true that baby teeth erupt and often appear relatively straight, the process for adult teeth is more complex.

When a child's permanent teeth start to emerge, they're often navigating a crowded environment. They're bigger than their primary teeth predecessors and have to squeeze their way into the available space. Several factors can influence how straight a new tooth erupts:

• Genetics: Just like eye color or height, the size and shape of your child's jaws and teeth are largely determined by your genes. If there's a family history of crooked teeth, crowding, or spacing issues, there's a higher chance your child’s teeth might erupt in a similar fashion.
  
  
• Available Space: The amount of room in your upper jaw and lower jaw plays a crucial role. If the jaw isn't large enough to accommodate all the permanent teeth comfortably, they can erupt crooked, overlapping, or rotated as they try to find their place.
  
  
• Habits: Certain childhood habits, like prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, can exert pressure on the developing teeth and influence their eruption path.
  
  
• Premature Loss of Baby Teeth: If a child’s baby tooth is lost too early due to tooth decay or injury, the adjacent teeth can drift into the empty space. This can block the proper eruption of the adult tooth underneath, leading to crooked permanent teeth or even impacted teeth.
  
  

What We Observe:

Sometimes, a permanent tooth might appear to erupt slightly crooked and then seem to shift a little over time. This minor adjustment can happen as the surrounding teeth erupt and influence each other. However, significant crookedness, rotations, or crowded teeth rarely correct themselves spontaneously. In fact, as all the adult teeth erupt, existing issues can sometimes become more pronounced, requiring orthodontics like Invisalign or braces to achieve straighter teeth.

‍

‍Why Early Evaluation Matters:

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. At this age, enough adult teeth have typically erupted for an orthodontist to identify potential issues with jaw growth and tooth alignment. Early intervention, when needed, can guide the eruption of permanent teeth into more favorable positions and potentially prevent more serious dental problems down the road.

‍

Conclusion:

While we all hope for straight teeth that erupt naturally, that’s not always the case. Given all the factors that influence tooth eruption, it’s important to schedule proactive orthodontic evaluations starting at age 7 — especially if you notice crooked baby teeth, delayed molars, or extra teeth. And of course, maintaining proper oral hygiene during these developmental years is essential for healthy teeth.

If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth, contact an orthodontist or pediatric dentist for a consultation.

—
Karen Conn, DMD, MS is a Board-certified orthodontist and co-owner of Bryn Mawr Orthodontics (Bryn Mawr, PA), where she specializes in Invisalign and braces for children, teens, and adults. She has been recognized as a Philadelphia Magazine Top Dentist, Main Line Today Top Dentist, Suburban Family Top Orthodontist, and is among the nation’s top 1% of Invisalign providers. Dr. Conn received her undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Temple University, where she also earned a master’s degree in Oral Biology.

Bryn Mawr Orthodontics is an award-winning practice voted the Best Orthodontist in The Philadelphia Inquirer’s 2024 and 2025 Philly Favorites contests. Bryn Mawr Orthodontics serves patients in Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Villanova, Ardmore, Haverford, Wynnewood, Narberth, Radnor, Penn Valley, Bala Cynwyd, Merion, Wayne, and the entire Main Line.

To learn more, visit https://www.brynmawrorthodontics.com/. Contact the office today (484-383-0055) or complete this form to schedule a free consultation.

‍