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Dentistry/Tooth Straightening

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Question
Dear Dr. Myerson:

I have #30 extracted last week, and planned to have an implant.  Because #30 was decayed badly before the extraction, #31 has tilted its position toward #30, and toward inner side of the mouth.  So, my current bite of the tooth is not on the face of the tooth, but on its edge.  My general dentist recommended a Invisalign to correct it before i do implant.  But I know Invisalign for complete teeth is very costy, so I'm wondering if there's any way to correct only the tooth#31.  Wisdom tooth behind #31 has already been extracted last year.  I wanted to ask all these to my general dentist, but she keeps post-poning our discussion by saying she'll discuss in detail after i've really considered of doing it and i'm not happy that she's not available to answer my questions.  Can you please help me?

Answer
Since the answer to your question depends upon additional information I would recommend that you take your question to an orthodontist who can thoroughly evaluate your situation and offer you various options if they are possible.  Your general dentist is probably not qualified to offer you anything other than an Invisalign solution.

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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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