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Dentistry/6 yr. old tooth extraction
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QUESTION: Hi, My son just had 2 baby root canals on two seperate molars. One turned out fine. The other, after two weeks, got infected. He was put on antibiotics and I was told he needed to have the tooth pulled and a spacer put in. Three weeks have gone by and the infection is gone and my son has no pain what so ever. Because of that, do I still need to have the tooth pulled? That would be more pain for him. Any input would be great. Thanks for your help.
ANSWER: Dear Marion,
once a primary molar is infected it stays infected even if the pain goes away.
The pain comes when the infected material cannot find a way out of the bone.
In your son's case the material is there , has eaten through the bone, and is now draining into his mouth.
You should have the primary molar removed.
The space maintainer may not be necessary if it is the lower jaw and his permanent molars have erupted.
All the best,
Dr. Moss
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your quick response. The primary molar is on the top right and he hasn't lost any other molars yet. So basically, if the tooth isn't pulled, there could be problems further down the road bacause an infection is still present even though antibiotics were administered. I guess I just want to make sure it isn't getting pulled for nothing. I will go ahead and have it done. What would happen if it's not pulled or it's put off for now? What would/could the outcome be? Thanks again.
Dear Marion ,
The permanent molars erupt behind the last primary molar. No from under the primary molars.
Antibiotics do not cure the problem, they just slow up the infection for a short period of time, and infection that returns when you stop taking the antibiotics.
You do not want to keep an infection in your child's mouth. Infection can spread to his bones or even sometimes to his heart. No pain, does not mean no problem.
Again if it is the first primary molar, the closer to the front of the mouth, there is probably
no need for a space maintainer.
Dr. Moss
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for your quick responses. Set my mind at ease. Appreciate all of your input and advice. :) | ||
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Stephen J. Moss
Expertise
I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.
Experience
Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.
Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center
Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India
Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.
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