Will My Child’s Permanent Teeth Come in Straight?

One of the most common questions parents ask is: “Will my child’s adult teeth come in straight?”

It’s a great question—and the answer isn’t always simple. Understanding how permanent teeth develop and why they sometimes appear or erupt crooked can help you make informed decisions about your child’s dental health.

Do Permanent Teeth Straighten Themselves Out?

In some cases, but not always. While baby teeth usually come in fairly straight, the story with adult teeth is a bit more complicated. Permanent front teeth are actually much larger than the baby teeth they replace, and they must find space in a jaw that’s still growing and developing. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to see some crowding, crookedness, or tooth rotations when those big new adult teeth start to appear.

Let’s take a look at a few key factors that influence how permanent teeth erupt:

1. Genetics Matter

Just like your child may inherit your eye color or height, the size and shape of their jaws and teeth are passed down too. If you or your family members had crowded, spaced, or crooked teeth, your child may have a similar pattern. Genetics can play a role in determining the alignment of the jaws and how teeth come in.

2. Jaw Space Is Key

Permanent teeth need enough room to come in properly. If your child’s jaw is too small or narrow to accommodate all the permanent teeth, those teeth may come in crooked, overlapping, or even get stuck in the bone.

3. Habits Can Influence Growth

Oral habits such as thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, or mouth breathing can all impact how the teeth and jaws develop. These habits can put pressure on the teeth and jaws and shift them out of alignment, which can lead to bite issues or crowded teeth.

4. Early Loss of Baby Teeth

Baby teeth act like placeholders for adult teeth. If one is lost too soon—due to decay, injury, or extraction—the nearby teeth often start to drift into the open space. This can block the path of the adult tooth developing, making it more likely to come in crooked, out of place, impacted, or not at all.

What We Typically See

Sometimes, a new adult tooth might look slightly crooked when it first erupts, but then settle into a better position as more teeth come in. However, significant crowding, overlapping, or rotations rarely correct themselves on their own. In fact, as the rest of the teeth erupt, crowding issues can worsen, making orthodontic treatment more complex later on.

Braces, Invisalign®, and other orthodontic treatments are sometimes needed to gently create additional space and help guide teeth into their ideal positions to create a healthy, well-functioning bite.

Why Early Orthodontic Evaluation Matters

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. By this age, your child typically has a mix of primary and adult teeth, giving the orthodontist insight into their jaw growth, developing bite, and tooth eruption. We like to see kids early (as early as age 4) if there are airway or myofunctional concerns.

Early evaluation doesn’t always mean early treatment—but it allows us to monitor your child’s development and take action at the right time if needed. In some cases, early intervention can:

• Guide jaw growth

• Create more space for erupting teeth

• Prevent impacted teeth (teeth that get stuck in the jawbone)

• Reduce the need for tooth extractions later

• Make future treatment shorter or simpler

Final Thoughts

While some mild shifting ca  happen naturally, most crooked or crowded teeth don’t correct themselves. Since every child’s dental development is unique, it’s best not to “wait and see” when it comes to permanent teeth. An orthodontist can give you valuable insight as to how your child’s bite and teeth are developing.

If your child is between the ages of 4 to  7, or if you’ve noticed crooked baby teeth, delayed tooth eruption, or habits like thumb sucking it’s a perfect time to schedule an orthodontic evaluation. A proactive approach can help pave the way for a confident, healthy smile.

And as always, keeping up with regular dentist visits and good oral hygiene habits at home will help support healthy tooth development every step of the way!

Wondering if your child’s permanent teeth will come in straight? Learn how genetics, habits & early orthodontic evaluations play a role.

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About the Author:

Dr. Danielle N. Godley is a Board-certified orthodontist and owner of Godley Family Orthodontics (Zionsville, IN), where she specializes in Invisalign and braces for children, teens, and adults. She has been recognized as a Top Dentist, nominated as a Top Orthodontist, and is among the community’s most experienced Invisalign providers. Dr. Godley received her doctorate degree from Indiana University. She completed her residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the University of Michigan, where she also earned a master’s degree. Godley Family Orthodontics serves patients in Zionsville, Carmel, Indianapolis, Whitestown, Westfield, Thorntown, Lebanon, Indiana and surrounding areas. 

To learn more, visit https://godleyfamilyortho.com

Contact the office today (317-913-2828) or schedule a free consultation online.