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Dentistry/One week after tooth extraction.

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Expert: - 10/11/2008


Question
Hello! I had my two upper molars extracted last week (not wisdom teeth). The surgery was doing good and my dentist said everything looked fine. However, I still feel that the molars next to the extraction sites are a bit bigger. At first I thought it was the swelling but its been a week and i felt them bigger in my mouth. I dont know if they are shifting or my gum is still a bit swollen. Its simply uncomfortable to have this weird sensation.I didnt encounter any pain or unusual bleeding after the extraction but I am afraid that my molars wont work the same as it used to be. Is it normal to feel this way? When will it eventually go away?

Answer
Dear Lynn:
I am sorry to hear that you had your teeth removed.  It is not uncommon for people to feel their teeth "swollen" in a surgerized area.  The sensation usually goes away as the area heals.  The most important thing is to make sure that your oral hygiene is excellent, since the tissues will be swollen unnecessarily if there is too much plaque in the area.
It is very important for your to go back to your dentist two weeks after the extractions for a follow up.  Let your dentist check the area clinically, to make sure that everything is healing properly.
Also, please discuss with your dentist proper replacement for your lost teeth.  Your remaining teeth will start shifting to close the spaces, but the shifting translates to tilting of the teeth into the empty areas and loss of proper position.  Discuss with your dentist replacement of your teeth either with a removable denture or fixed implants.
Best wishes and speedy healing,
Dr. Zev Kaufman

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Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.

Expertise

I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.

Experience

Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC. Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry. Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program. Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program. Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.

Organizations
Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics. Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration. Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society. Member of the American Dental Education Association.

Education/Credentials
Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry. Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics. Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry. Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management. Honors-program in Orthodontics.

Awards and Honors
NYU Cervice award to the community. OKU honor society. National Dean's List. National Who's Who.

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