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About 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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Dentistry - pulp and crown for child

Expert: Dr. Randolph Myerson - 11/7/2009

Question
I took my daughter to the Dentist today for a filling. During the procedure the Dentist came out and said the cavity was shallow and I had it all out. However, there was still a little pink/red color and when I took my tool and barely touched that spot something dropped down and the pulp was exposed. She kept repeating that she had not done an aggressive cleaning and was very surprised at what happened. She said she highly recommended putting medicine in, filling it and then capping the tooth. She said this was the best route to go so I agreed. I had her explain it a couple of times because I have never had this experience before. When it was over I asked if this is a risk everytime a filling is done and she said no. She then said I don't think any of us expected what happened but she's fine. Is this a common issue when doing fillings? Should I expect this to be a possibility if my child or myself needs a filling? My daughter receives regular dental care every 6 months and this has been our Dentist for 3 years. I am seriously considering changing because this didn't seem right to me.

Answer
This is certainly an understandable occurrence. There are occasional variations in the anatomy of the pulp tissue and an unanticipated exposure of the pulp can happen during an otherwise seemingly routine procedure. Placing a medication and capping the pulp tissue is the proper course of action followed by an appropriate restoration on the tooth. If this were a repeated event...a simple procedure becoming a complicated procedure...I would perhaps be suspicious but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

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