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Dentistry/My sons tooth has turned grey

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Question
I have just noticed that one of my sons front teeth has turned a grey color and I am concerned as to what this could be? He does not eat many sweets and likes fruit and milk and i am very concerned about it. i would like any advice

Answer
A tooth turns grey when it becomes non-vital.  That means the nerve has died.  This is usually the result of some trauma at some earlier time.  Sometimes the tooth turns grey several days or weeks after the trauma and sometimes it could be months or years.  If this is a baby tooth then it may or not develop into an infection.  If this is a permanent tooth it will probably develop an infection.  In either case it should be examined by a dentist who will probably need to take an x-ray of the tooth to determine if treatment is necessary.  It's best to find out before it becomes an emergency situation with pain and swelling.

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

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