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Dentistry/bite tongue flap

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Expert: - 11/1/2008


Question
I bit my tongue about 3 days ago and there is a flap about the size of my little fingernail that won't attach back to my tongue. Thig bite goes right down to the meat of my tongue. Will this flap attach, grow together again, fall off?  In the meantime, I can't eat much because food gets caught under there and I have to rinse it out. HELP!

Answer
Dear Claytango:
The tongue heals very well and very fast.  If the flap does not heal by itself, you might have to get some help from an oral surgeon.
www.aaoms.org will have a link to an oral surgeon in your area.  Go and have it looked at.  If left alone, it will heal and the pain will go away, but the area might stay deformed and you will a persistent hygiene problem.
Sorry for the delay in answering your question, my computer sometimes files the question in the spam folder, and I do get a lot of spam, so it takes me a while to sort through.
I hope that you are doing Ok and that the pain subsided.  As I said, go to the oral surgeon and have this looked at.  At least you will know that it is healing properly.
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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