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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 > Permanent teeth behind baby teeth

Dentistry - Permanent teeth behind baby teeth

Expert: Stephen J. Moss - 11/7/2009

Question

teeth

Hello Doctor Moss,

My question is almost identical to another posted 3 years ago with the same subject heading that I just copied.

My daughter is 10 years old. Her two lower front baby teeth were still tough and the two permanent teeth came out behind her baby teeth and the dentist pulled them out a few years ago and the new permanent teeth seem to have shifted into the correct spot.

Now the ones beside them had the same thing happen and she doesn't want to do it again because it hurt afterwards from getting them pulled out.

Do I have to bring her to a dentist to extract her baby teeth again ? If we just wait to let her baby teeth fall out themselves, what will it affect? If she has her baby teeth extracted, will her permanent teeth move forward to their normal location? The reason I ask is because I read elsewhere that the roots for these new teeth become fully formed around this age to 11 years and I'm concerned that if we wait they wont shift into the new spot when it becomes available because I'm guessing the roots may prevent them from shifting. I've attached a picture hoping it will help illustrate our concerns for others that may also experience the same concerns.

Thank you.

Regards

Sandy

Answer
Dear Sandy,

Sorry about your daughter's earlier experience.

You have no choice here, get the primary teeth out of her mouth as soon as you are able.
The permanent lateral incisor should be forward as soon as possible to maintain space in her mouth.
The primary teeth just dont hold enough space.
removal of the primary teeth should be fast, simple and trauma free.

Any Pediatric dentist should be able to do the entire procedure in less than 5-10 minutes.

All the best,

Dr. Moss

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