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Dentistry/can wisdom tooth take place of extracted molar

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Expert: - 11/9/2008


Question
My son is 14 years old. What is currently his last molar cracked, and his dentist has recommended a root canal. We also had xrays taken that show his unerupted wisdom teeth, so we do know that there is a wisdom tooth behind the cracked molar. If we elect to have the cracked molar extracted, will the wisdom tooth shift into its place? He will need the remaining wisdom teeth extracted, as the xrays only show 3.

Answer
If you are referring to the removal of a permanent upper second molar then research and experience indicate that the unerupted upper third molar has a reasonable likelihood of satisfactorily replacing the extracted second molar.  Unfortunately, the same is not true in with the lower molars.

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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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