Dentigerence

Dentigerence is a term encountered in dental literature to describe a cluster of phenomena associated with tooth eruption and dentition, with particular emphasis on eruption timing, sequence, and related anomalies. It is not a formal diagnostic category in major dental taxonomies, and its usage varies among authors. In some discussions, dentigerence refers to the dynamic process by which teeth emerge during development and sometimes deviate from expected eruption patterns.

Causes and manifestations: Dentigerence can arise from genetic factors that influence tooth development, as well as systemic or local conditions such as hormonal factors, nutrition, space limitations, crowding, or other dentition-related factors. Clinically, it may present as delayed eruption, premature eruption, ectopic eruption, or irregular eruption sequences. It is frequently associated with impacted teeth, transpositions, or dentition anomalies. Radiographic imaging, including panoramic radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography, assists in assessment and treatment planning.

Management and status: Treatment is case-dependent and may range from observation and space maintenance to orthodontic traction, surgical exposure of impacted teeth, or extraction. Interdisciplinary coordination among pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery is common. The term dentigerence remains relatively obscure in many sources and some authors prefer terminology such as eruption disorders or eruption timing to describe similar phenomena.

See also: tooth eruption, eruption disorders, dentition, orthodontics.