When decay in baby teeth progresses and reaches the pulp chamber and is left untreated, the infection seeps out through the root tips, spreading to the surrounding bone tissue and creating a chronic inflammatory focus (lesion) at the root tip. The crown (enamel) of the future permanent tooth is developing between the roots of the baby tooth. This chronic inflammatory process and acidic environment at the root tip directly poisons the enamel-producing cells (ameloblasts) of the permanent tooth germ beneath, permanently halting or disrupting enamel production. As a result, when that permanent tooth erupts, it will have deep yellow-brown pits, stains, or structural deficiencies. This condition is called “Turner’s Tooth” and is a painful consequence of a completely neglected baby tooth infection.
