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Dentistry/primary teeth extraction due to injury

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Question
My 3 yr. old son will be having his two front incisors extracted next Tuesday due to multiple injuries. I'm concerned about how this will affect his speech and eating. Also, he sucks his thumb...I'm hoping he might stop the thumb sucking but also concerned as to whether him attempting to suck his thumb after the extraction will cause any damage as it heals? What should I expect as far as recuperation and the first few days?

Answer
I would anticipate that he would be uncomfortable sucking his thumb and may not do it while the gums heal.
As for speech development, it is possible that the loss of these two teeth will result in a tongue thrust and possible lisp or other speech distortion.  You should inquire about placement of a pedi-partial after healing is complete.  This is a permanent appliance which provides artifical teeth to replace the missing ones.

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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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