NetWellness Dental and Oral Health (Children)

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01/12/11--09:01: Pointy and Missing Teeth in Children (chan 1031746)

Question: At a vist to the dentist she noticed that my daughter nearly 4yrs had all pointy teeth and two missing she seemed quite concerned about this and also that her teeth where all the same colour all the way through which is quite rare.the dentist said she will read up on this because she as only been in . . .

Answer: This description of your child's teeth could indicate a range of conditions from perfectly normal to relatively rare developmental problems including ectodermal dysplasia (ED). ED affects teeth while they are developing and children with this condition frequently have cone-shaped teeth. Missing . . .

Ask an Expert: Dennis McTigue DDS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


01/19/11--18:01: What Happens if My Son Has a Decaying Tooth? (chan 1031746)

Question: Well, he started with the chipped tooth and then it started to decay, but now it looks like the tooth is starting to get smaller. What will the dentist do if I take him in?

Answer: Thanks for the question. The dentist may take an x-ray to see how healthy the tooth is and how the trauma of being chipped affected it. Treatment can range from no treatment needed, a filling, a crown or an extraction depending on how old your child is, if this is a baby or grown up tooth, and what . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarat Thikkurissy DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


02/03/11--19:02: Root that Does Not Belong (chan 1031746)

Question: In a trational exam and x-ray near tooth # 17 a root that should not be nor is attached to any tooth was shown it almost looks like it touches the jaw bone. My son is almost 12 years old. What is this and what is the treatment. Thank-you

Answer: It is difficult to give a diagnosis based on this information alone. It is not uncommon for roots of baby teeth to be seen in between adult teeth. However, this is a little far back for a baby tooth. A dentist would best be able to tell you if it is a broken root from another tooth, or possibly a . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarat Thikkurissy DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


02/03/11--20:02: Face Swelling After a Filling (chan 1031746)

Question: My son have two fillings done on opposite sides of his mouth. His right side of his face is very swollen and he says that it is painful. His face has been swollen for 8 hours now.

Answer: Return your son now to the dentist who treated him. The swelling could be a minor inflammation that will resolve quickly or it could be a sign of serious infection. If you cannot reach your dentist or a pediatric dentist today, seek care at your child's doctor's office or at an emergency room. &nbs . . .

Ask an Expert: Dennis McTigue DDS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


02/10/11--13:02: Child`s Lingual Frenum is Full of Bumps (chan 1031746)

Question: Hello, A few months ago I noticed that my 3 year old child had clusters of little white bumps(sand like) all over the lingual frenum. About a month ago he started to complain that his under the tongue hurts. I took him to the pediatrician who said not to worry, it might be a virus. The bumps did not . . .

Answer: The problem you describe is quite unusual but it certainly does not sound serious. Since I do not personally see a great number of children patients, I consulted with several additional pediatric dentists and none of them were able to provide a good explanation for your son's transient bumps. Give . . .

Ask an Expert: John Kalmar DMD, PhD, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


02/23/11--13:02: White Hard Tiny Thing Coming Out (chan 1031746)

Question: Hi, Yesterday my 8 year old daughter complined about mild gum and tooth pain near one of the front tooth. When I examined i saw a tiny white, hard thing came out of that spot. That place is not red in color. She still bothers her. The tooth above this white, hard thing is not a baby tooth. What this . . .

Answer: It's difficult to understand exactly what you're describing without examining your daughter, so take her to see a pediatric dentist. The tissue you described could be a small extra tooth or an "odontoma", which is a harmless tooth-like object that commonly develops near the front teeth. 

Ask an Expert: Dennis McTigue DDS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


04/09/11--19:04: Some Teeth are Missing (chan 1031746)

Question: My daughter is 9 months old. She had her 2 lower incisor teeth when she was 7 months old. Now, it seems 2 more teeth on top are coming out, but only the right incisor and lateral incisor (one of each). Is this normal?

Answer: There is a range of both normal eruption times and patterns. Slight variations of pattern such as the one you've described are totally normal. The best solution is to have a dentist examine your child's teeth - and the current American Academy of Pediatrics/Pediatric Dentistry recommendation is that . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarat Thikkurissy DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


05/10/11--13:05: Best Way to Handle an Unerupted Tooth (chan 1031746)

Question: My son had a baby tooth that never erupted. He was referred to an oral surgeon to have it removed. It was pulpy, not solid, and we were told that no permanent tooth was in evidence and that the bone was not fused in that area. The permanent tooth eventually showed up on an x-ray and we were referred . . .

Answer: Your son's situation is complicated, and the treatment that has been provided seems reasonable given the information that the care providers had when they treated him. You are correct that a second opinion is now indicated. As you note, the unerupted permanent tooth could be a mass (called an "odont . . .

Ask an Expert: Dennis McTigue DDS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


05/17/11--19:05: Mesioden Question (chan 1031746)

Question: My 5-year old has a mesioden on her roof top directly behind her two front baby teeth. This evening she lost one of these baby teeth and we can see the adult tooth ready to come in but the mesioden is pressed against it. I'm concerned that the adult tooth won't come in correctly with the mesioden ri . . .

Answer: You are absoultely entitled to a second opinon. I think that if not a pediatric dentist, who is specialized in treating children, an orthodontist who may manage the eruption pattern would be a good resource.
 
It would be good to make sure the mesioden is not fused to, or as you menti . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarat Thikkurissy DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)


08/12/11--00:08: NO SIDE TEETH (chan 1031746)

Question: MY SON IS 6 YEARS ALL OF HIS BABYHAVE FALLEN OUT I HOPE AND SOME OF IS PERMANANT TEETH HAVE COME IN ALL EXCEPT THE ONES ON EACH SIDE OF HIS TWO FRONT TEETH. IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE HE`S BEEN TO THE DENTIST OR DO I NEED TO GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE TIME TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Answer: Thank you for your question. It takes several years before all of the primary (baby) teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. The process begins around age 6 and finishes around age 12. This is a good time to have your son examined by a dentist to have his teeth cleaned and to have your specific quest . . .

Ask an Expert: Dennis McTigue DDS, Dental and Oral Health (Children)