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: 7/22/2008 Subject: missing tooth in a 2 year old
Question My son is 2 years and 3 months old. He is missing one of his front bottom teeth. It just never appeared. Should I be concerned and do I need to do anything about it? Thank you.
Answer There is some room for concern in this situation. The tooth may have developed but is still unerupted. If this is the case then some action may need to be taken since the unerupted incisor could interfere with the development of the permanent teeth incisors. The only way to determine if the tooth has developed but remains unerupted is to have an x-ray taken of the area.
Once it has been determined that the tooth did not develop and is truly missing there is really nothing that can be done. This may or not result in some abnormality with the alignment of the permanent incisors but that will have to be determined in another 4-5 years.
