DELAYED TOOTH ERUPTION IN CHILDREN — A NORMAL CONDITION OR AN EARLY SIGN OF HIDDEN PATHOLOGY

Abstrak

Delayed tooth eruption in children is a frequent concern in pediatric dentistry and general pediatrics, often raising questions about whether it represents a normal variation of development or an early indicator of underlying systemic or local pathology. The timing of primary and permanent tooth eruption varies significantly among individuals and populations; however, deviations beyond accepted physiological limits may signal nutritional deficiencies, endocrine disorders, genetic syndromes, metabolic diseases, or local anatomical abnormalities.

This topic has gained increasing attention due to the growing emphasis on early diagnosis and preventive healthcare in childhood. The process of tooth eruption is a complex and multifactorial biological event involving the coordinated interaction of genetic programming, bone remodeling, periodontal ligament formation, and hormonal regulation.