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About 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.

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > Upper Permanent Teeth erupting behind primary teeth

Dentistry - Upper Permanent Teeth erupting behind primary teeth

Expert: Stephen J. Moss - 10/26/2009

Question
My daughter's 2 lower front permanent teeth erupted behind her primary teeth. Our dentist advised that we wait a while to see if her primary teeth came out, and they did. He had advised that the tongue would typically "push" the permanent teeth into place. That is exactly what happened.

Now, however, the same thing is happening with her upper front teeth, which I'm surmising from reading various info online, is not common or "normal". One of her upper front permanent teeth has erupted behind her primary tooth. Neither of her 2 primary front teeth are loose. What is the course of treatment for this? What problems should I be concerned about?

Answer
Dear Pam,
you are correct, it is slightly unusual.
I suspect that the upper primary teeth were injured at some time, and as a result their resorption pattern is unusual , leading to irregular eriuption of the permanent teeth.
There really is no problem in the top jaw either.
But you do not want them to get caught behind the permanent lower teeth.
Most of the time I choose to remove the upper primary incisors right away, whenever the permanent teeth peek through. It is a simple procedure that is quick and painless easily done with just a few drops of local anesthesia.
My suggestion is you do what ever your dentist suggests, he has seen your daughter and he was quite knowledgeable about her lower teeth, there is no need to check up on him . You seem to be in good hands.
All the best,
Dr. Moss

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