[honeybee]

Hi,

My 6-yr-old son has his 1st permanent central incisor emerged on his lower teeth, but not sure if this is normal, as this new one emerges behind the "baby" incisor which is still there and just a bit loose (it wiggles a bit when i touch it). Is it ok to wait for the "baby" incisor to fall out naturally? Is the new one able to move forward to replace the baby incisor and align with the other lower teeth? Or is it necessary to take him to a dentist for a check-up?

Any experienced mom, pls advise.....

BTW, any recommended paediatric dentist in HK island?

[rani]

We had the same problem. Our central baby incisor was also a bit loose, but didn't show any signs of falling out after a week. We went to the Dentist and he pulled it out. It happened again this summer with the lateral incisor. This time the 2 baby teeth in front were firm. The Dentist recommended extracting them both, but boy was it painful and the blood...yuck. The teeth haven't aligned, and we'll definitely have to look into orthodontic treatment later

[rani]

We see Dr Ray Lee at Pacific Dental. He's great with kids.

http://www.geobaby.com/directory/hea...tors/dentists/

Also, if you signed up with the Gov't Dental program through your school, you can go to the gov't dental clinic for a consultation. They told me that I didn't need to make an appt, and to come during clinic hours for an extraction. I think its free or subsidized. Here's the website.

http://www.schooldental.gov.hk

[honeybee]

Thanks Rani for your reply and info. just want to know more.... Did your dentist tell what if the baby teeth not pulled out, is there any adverse effect ? As you said the teeth are not aligned even after the baby ones are pulled out, then how about leave the baby ones there until they fall out themselves, and have teeth braces after all the teeth replacement has completed? i try to avoid this tooth extraction part, i cant imagine how my son reacts to all this pain and blood, esp. if it may happen whenever a new tooth come out.

Yes, we will join the Govt dental scheme, but it only becomes effective this coming November, we prefer to have free dental treatment, but just not sure if we can wait for this long or we need to consult a private dentist for a quick fix.

[momwboys]

Similar situation with our seven year old--just the tooth chose to come in on the front. We went to the dentist (while we were in the US) and he said that no treatment was necessary. Since we were about to begin three months of travel and moving, I wanted an immediate solution and I suggested extracting the tooth. He refused.

He told me to wait and it will come out with time (and it did)--he also said that we will be looking at orthodontics in the next few years AND the next tooth may come in BEHIND the toothline just so it has room.

Maybe you could go to a dentist for a cleaning and have them check on the tooth while he's there. Less pressure on him, and peace of mind for you.

[rani]

Momwboys,

How long did you wait before it fell out? A couple of Moms told me that if it doesn't come out in 2 weeks its best to extract it.

HoneyBee, You're right either way its a no-win situation. We'll still need to spend the $$$ for braces. To be honest, the 1st extraction was fairly painless for my son. The tooth was already moving and came out quick and easily. D didn't even cry.

[honeybee]

Thanks to both of u. i probably observe for another week before we decide to go to the dentist, i just wish the baby incisor can come out itself. it seems dentists in US prefer a natural way, but im afraid dentists in HK are most likely to suggest an extraction in this situation.

[honeybee]

Another friend told me that once his son had similar situation as my son's, and they didnt extract the baby tooth and just let it came out itself, and the new tooth did not align with others; but amazingly the tooth has moved back into toothline and become aligned after a few yrs. i'm not sure if it's a exceptional though.

[momwboys]

It took about a month for the tooth to come out, but my son will wait until the tooth just falls--no wiggling or pulling allowed. Drives me crazy! Any other kid's tooth will come out within half the time!

You would think that medicine, a science, would be standard across the board, but we all know there is a wide variance. My dentist is of the wait-and-see variety (unless it is cosmetic dentistry--then he's more than willing to take my check!). Other dentists, especially the pediatric dentists in the States, are much more eager to start treatment early.

It's been about a month and a half since the tooth came out, and it does look like it's trying to fit itself in--it looks better now than when the tooth first came out. I still think braces will be in his future, but it does look like we can wait a few years.

I would get a consult if it is worrying you, sometimes mommies know best. It would be helpful if they would put such situations in the owner's manual!

[Klam]

Same situation with my daughter when both her bottom front teeth came through behind her baby teeth. My friend told me to leave it and wait until they fell out naturally, but I had concerns as the new teeth were starting to grow out of place. I took her for a check up and our dentist immediately extracted the baby teeth (totally painless and no blood!). She mentioned that it is best to have them taken out as the new teeth will grow inline with the others better.
This seems to be true as my friends daughters new teeth are very crooked and have been told by their dentsit that they will need to have braces if they don't align by themselves in the near future.
Personally, I would prefer to have their teeth extracted as they will eventually come out anyway. Also, when my daughters teeth were loose, she was afraid of the pain and never "helped" loosen the teeth, which meant that it took longer for the baby teeth to come out and thus having a higher percentage of her new teeth not being aligned properly.
I don't think it is just HK dentist that are likely to prefer extraction as one of our cousins in the US has already had 3 baby teeth extracted by her dentist.

If you are worried, have a chat with your dentist and whatever you decide, your dentist should be happy with your decision.

We use Dr.Ellie Lau ( specialist in Paediatric Dentistry) at Cheers Dental Care in Admiralty. Tel:23689139