Delayed tooth eruption: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. A literature review.

Delayed tooth eruption (DTE) is the emergence of a tooth into the oral cavity at a time that deviates significantly from norms established for different races, ethnicities, and sexes. This article reviews the local and systemic conditions under which DTE has been reported to occur. The terminology related to disturbances in tooth eruption is also reviewed and clarified. A diagnostic algorithm is proposed to aid the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment planning of DTE. The sequential and timely eruption of teeth is critical to the timing of treatment and the selection of an orthodontic treatment modality. This review addresses the need for a more in-depth understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of DTE and gives the clinician a methodology to approach its diagnosis and treatment.