He lost a tooth, yet he grew many more in unexpected places.

That sounds like an interesting metaphor for child development. At that age so many unexpected things happen as the baby becomes a toddler, begins to move freely in his environment, to show his interest and curiosity in the wonderful and exciting world around him. He begins to leave babyhood, and that is a loss. But there is so much he will move toward--new skills, more independence and self-assertion ("No!" becomes a powerful word that says "I can think!, I can have an effect on my own life!, I can have opinions of my own, thoughts of my own!".

So leaving one tooth behind, but gaining more 'teeth' to use to talk about his world, to use to taste and consider and sometimes spit back out ("No!!) his world.
Exciting times.

These times can also be anxious times for parents because of the loss of dependency and the control that has offered. Now you begin a time that is more gentle loving guidance to help him maintain and build on the emotional security you have been providing, help him learn how to interact with others in healthy ways... joyfully experiencing and teaching your son about the world he is becoming aware of and so curious about! One tooth lost, many more coming...