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Dentistry/7 yr old's adult tooth not coming

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Expert: - 2/10/2009


Question
Dear Dr.Myerson,
My daughter who is 7 years old at present had her milk teeth coming off and new adult teeth replacing them as is normal starting from last year. All her teeth were replaced except one of her top front teeth. One of the two has come out but seems only half out and the other has not come out at all and it is more than two months now.The four incisors on the lower jaw are all out and normal size. Should we still wait for the top front tooth to be out or take her to a dentist? Would appreciate your response.
Thank you
Kaneez

Answer
You can wait another month or two before having a dental checkup with x-rays.  Sometimes the teeth just don't follow the usual, expected timetable and nature needs a bit of extra time.  In any case, this is a good age to get started on regular dental supervision.

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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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