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Turner tooth, also known as Turner’s hypoplasia, primarily occurs as a result of a disturbance during the enamel formation stage of a tooth, often affecting the permanent dentition when the corresponding deciduous tooth is traumatized or affected by caries. The trauma to the deciduous tooth can disrupt the development of the underlying permanent tooth, leading to enamel hypoplasia, which manifests as a discolored, pitted, or irregular enamel surface on the affected permanent tooth.

While genetic disorders, high fluoride exposure, and poor oral hygiene may contribute to various dental conditions or enamel defects, they do not specifically lead to the isolated effects on permanent teeth seen with Turner tooth as a consequence of trauma to the deciduous predecessor. Understanding this connection between trauma and the development of Turner teeth helps emphasize the importance of protecting the primary dentition to ensure the health of the permanent teeth that follow.