Dentistry/Headgear

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Expert: Dr. Randolph Myerson - 10/31/2009


Question
My nine year old has "buck" teeth.  An orthodontist recommended that she use headgear at night, for 1 to 1.5 years.  Cost $2,700. I called another ortho to check prices and they said they use the Frankel instead of the old headgear method.  Cost $3,000.  Which is better?  Are those cost about right?  Thank you for your time.

Answer
There are various ways to manage a single treatment challenge and these are two very different approaches to the same problem.  Those who use the headgear claim it is more effective.  Those who use the Frankel also claim it is more effective.  Truth is, both approaches can be quite effective but both require a very high level of patient cooperation over a long period of time.  You need to have your child understand what is expected in each approach and then have a very frank discussion about cooperation.  I'm willing to bet that if you go for a third opinion you'll get a third approach using an entirely different appliance.
Fees tend to vary significantly in different parts of the world.  The two fees you were quoted are relatively similar so they seem to be in line with one another.  I'm sure there are fees higher and some lower but probably not in your area.

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. 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.

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