Good day Dr,
I have a son; He is eight years old now. He hit one of his upper front teeth to hit the ground, the injured teeth looks as if it will fall off, however it has not fallen off. Recently another tooth has appeared on the same spot on top of the one that is shaking. His teeth are not well set now. What should I do?
Fisayo, Ibadan.
Dear Fisayo,
From the description you have put in your letter, your son is having retained deciduous teeth, incisors, the front teeth in this case. There are two sets of teeth in an individual’s life, the first set is called deciduous teeth in the sense that it will last for a period of time before it gets exfoliated and replaced. The teeth that will replace them, the second set of dentition is called permanent dentition, they stay with the individual for the rest of their lives. The teeth are replaced at various stages and ages usually all between the ages of six years and up till twenty one years of age.
For some reason or the other the deciduous teeth may sometimes not fall off at the expected time, the adult or permanent teeth will then erupt into the mouth at a position in front or behind or sideways , literarily displaced. The deciduous teeth or milk teeth as they are sometimes called could become infected and in the process this infection may affect the adult one in which case, it will be removed by the dentist to avoid any infection. It could also lead to other permanent teeth erupting in positions that are not right, hence the teeth are mal-aligned a condition called MALOCCLUSION.
You need to visit the nearest dentist at your location, where you will receive attention; most likely the mobile deciduous teeth will be removed to give way to the adult teeth, as the adult permanent incisors should have erupted around the age of eight years.
There is a dental department at the university college hospital, Ibadan, there are state hospitals, general hospitals with dental sections, and there are a number of private dental centres too. Most dental centres accept the national health insurance scheme or other insurance if you have cover for you and your family.
I hope I have been of some help.
Dear Sir,
Appeal for funds for medical treatment of peter udeonwo.
The family of Peter Udeonwo a thirty year old trader had a car accident on the Ebonyi – Enugu road on the 7th January 2014, after attending a traditional marriage of a friend. As a result of the road traffic accident in a Honda Civic, He sustained an injury to the spinal column. He is currently Bed-ridden at the University teaching hospital Ward 2 Bed 7, Utuku Ozara, Enugu in the accident male ward.
The consultant is Dr Uche. The victim needs to have an operation and currently is on traction and has been on admission for the past two months. The operation and rehabilitation costs minus hospital bills and medication are put at a conservative amount of Two million Naira.
The family is not able to afford this cost. We are appealing to well meaning Nigerians for assistance to be able to afford the treatment. Any assistance can be channelled to
Name: Miss Udeonwo Ijeoma
Bank: First Bank
Account Number: 3070207775
The family will be forever grateful for all those that can extend their hands of support.
Yours Faithfully
Eunice Udeonwo for the Family
