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About 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.

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > Dental Trauma Question.

Dentistry - Dental Trauma Question.

Expert: Dr. Randolph Myerson - 11/2/2009

Question
My two and half year old son fell in the bath tub and hit his open mouth on the side of the tub. When I picked him up he was bleeding like crazy. Three teeth were knocked loose. One look like it twisted around 180 degrees, one looked rammed into his gums, and one looked loose. I pushed the one tooth back into place and rushed him to the ER. By the time we got there they had already started to reimplant themselves. It also looked as if his gums were peeled back but it was hard to tell because of the bruising and swelling. We were sent home and went to the dentist the next morning. We were told that the teeth might die but it would take time if they were but that they definitely would turn grey. We were told to come back in 6 weeks. Well the swelling and the bruising went down and I noticed that his gums is peeled back and the part of his gum between his first two teeth that attaches to his maxillary frenem (I think thats how you say it) lifts the gums up away from his teeth. He also looks as if his gums were split when the tooth turned.
My question is should I wait for the six weeks to bring him or should I bring him for the gums being peeled back? Also his two front teeth are turning dark grey, do you think that they are dying? They took xrays and said his roots were not broken. Thank you for help.
Courtney Downs

Answer
My sense here is that the teeth are dying, cannot be saved and will probably have to be removed. The attempt here is to give your child some healing time in the event that one or more of the affected teeth may have a chance to heal and survive the trauma, even if it requires pulp treatment. You need to watch for signs of infection which will include swelling and drainage of pus in the area. The gums themselves will likely look worse before they start looking better so they should be kept as clean as possible during the healing process. If things don't improve in four to six weeks you should have him seen again.

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