Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 7/15/2006

Question
My 7year old son just lost his 2nd molar today. Is that to soon?  I thought he would loose that one at age 10-14yrs of age

Answer
7 is a little early for primary 2nd molars to be lost. i wonder if his permanent first molar erupted at an angle and eroded the primary one early. that does happen. it is called ectopic eruption. and if it "eats" enough of the baby molar away, it can be lost early. ask your dentist if this is what happened? or if not, what did happen. i cannot give you any definitive answer online. i need to see your son in person. so put your mind at ease...call and get him in for an exam and find out exactly what is going on. and maybe check to see if the same thing is happening in any of the other primary 2nd molars. good luck. let me know if you have any other questions.

jeff dalin, dds