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Dentistry/Salivary Stone?/Infected Tooth

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Expert: - 11/24/2008


Question
QUESTION: I'm a 26 year old male, is is possible for a salivary stone to form anywhere on the mouth floor?  I think I may have one near(not on) my gum on the left side of my mouth floor.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Dear Anthony:
A salivary stone can form in a salivary duct that is wide enough to accommodate it.  They generally form in the cheek at the back of the mouth, where the parotid ducts comes in, and in the floor of the mouth, slightly to the side of the midline since this is where the sublingual and submandibular glands come in.
Please go to your dentist and have this checked out.  If you are feeling a swelling next to your gum, chances are that it is an infection associated with a dead tooth and not a salivary stone.  This will not hurt now, but will cause problems in the future.  Have the dentist X-ray the area, it is fairly easy to make a diagnosis at this point.  If this is an infection associated with the tooth, it will show on the X-ray.
Best of luck and if you can, please let me know what this turned out to be.
Sincerely,
Dr. Zev Kaufman

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Dr. Kaufman,

Thank you for the detailed response!  It started out as a lump and it is getting smaller and smaller. Now just a small hard piece on the floor of my mouth near the gum about about 1.5cm left on the mouth center.  If I put my finger in the floor my mouth, it feels like a small hard flat disk that can be moved around near but not attatched to the gums.

If it is an infected tooth, can it be fixed or is there a chance it will have to be removed?

Thanks agin for your time,

Anthony Beretta

Answer
Dear Anthony:
I think that your self diagnosis of salivary stone is probably correct.  I would still recommend being seen by an oral surgeon to make sure that it is the correct diagnosis and for treatment, if necessary.
Please make sure that a professional looks at you as soon as possible.
Best wishes,
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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