AboutDr. 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.
When my four daughter was six months old she cut top teeth that did not have enamel on them. She ended up having to have them removed at the age of 2. Since then she has had to have four caps and several fillings. She has candy and soda once in a while and I am strict about brushing after but she always has a cavity when we go for her check up. My son eats the same and brushes his teeth the same but he has only had two small fillings and he is 7. What could be the cause of my daughter's bad teeth?
Answer If your daughter has teeth with no enamel then this is the reason why she has a serious decay problem. There is a rare genetic condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta which causes teeth to develop improperly. If that is her problem the diagnosis should be easily made by a pediatric dentist who is specially trained for children's dentistry.
Most often, however, when we see differences in decay experience between two siblings with similar dietary habits and oral hygiene it is due to differences in oral bacteria and resistence factors.
Bottom line is that decay is caused by a combination of
(1) susceptable teeth - not all teeth are equally as hard or resistent to decay.
(2) bacteria - not all individuals have exactly the same oral bacteria...some are more aggressive than others in causing decay.
(3) sugar - which is present in nearly all foods to a varying degree.
For whatever reason, your daughter has a much greater problem with decay than her brother, so she will have to restrict her intake of sugar-containing foods and will have to practice more effective and more frequent brushing and flossing than her older brother.
