AboutDr. Randolph Myerson Expertise 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.
Expert: Dr. Randolph Myerson Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: Molars Separating due to Extraction
Question Dear Dr. Randolph,
Thanks for being here and answering the patients questions. I will try to be short and clear:
1- I am male, 26 years old. I had my tooth 19 pulled out since two years. I keep excellent oral hygiene as the book says.
2- I have extracted teeth #14 (since 10 years) and #19 (since 2 years). The adjacent teeth #15 pushed forward and stayed, while #18 is now pushing and creating impaction area for the gum with #17. The wisdom teeth are in place and fully grown and well.
3- I am planning for straighting #15 & #16, and also #17 & #18. Afterwards I am planning for a fixed bridge.
I have a few questions please:
1- Will the fixed bridge (containing teeth #14 & #19) have a chewing efficiency of 100%? If not, then what is the average efficiency?
2- Will the braces for straighting appear on my front tooth? What is the average time of wearing them, just the very average (6 months, 1 year, 3 years)? What is the name of the professional doing braces (medical name)?
3- Just a last question, I have made a root canal successfully on tooth 5, since two years, and did not crown it. If I crown it now, is there a chance it might crack from the procedure? If yes, what is the chances on average (50%, 20%, or 90%)?
Thanks a million for making live easier and aiding us to make better informed decisions.
Yours truly,
Adel.
Answer 1. The degree of efficiency in chewing is completely dependent on how well the teeth are straightened and aligned and how well the bridge is made. I am not aware of any measure of chewing efficiency.
2. You will probably require braces on all your teeth, front and back. The average time of treatment is 18-36 months.
3. The tooth can still be crowned successfully as long as it has not yet been fractured.
