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Dentistry/Wisdom Teeth

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Expert: - 12/31/2006


Question
Hello, Dr Moss. I saw that you were a professor at NYU, and I'm currently a student there so I was happy to have found you! I just got my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday and it is currently Saturday. One tooth was removed from the left side, and on the right two teeth were removed. The swelling on the left side of my mouth has greatly subsided, but on the right side of my mouth a hard lump has developed with slight bruising. The lump is about 2 inches in diameter and is inside my cheek between the two jaws (making it difficult to fully close my mouth). The extraction sights don't hurt but this lump does, especially when it presses against where the teeth were removed. This lump limits how far and how wide my mouth opens. I would just really like to know what you think this is and if there is anything I can do to make it go away. Thank you for your help.

Answer
Dear Jen.
This is not my area of expertise. I am a dentist for children. But this is a long weekend and you need some advice now.
As long as you don't have a high fever, i wouldn't worry too much, some molars take a lot of work to remove and the soft tissue gets swollen and sore.
Give it another day or so , perhaps even a hot towel on the outside of your mouth.  If your not better after New Year, I would go back to the surgeon and ask him to look at your cheek.
Enjoy the new year, and let me know how you are doing next week.
Dr Moss

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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.

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