I had 17 metal crowns at age 4.  I looked like the 4yo equivalent of
this guy:

http://www.garnersclassics.com/pics/mnraker/jawsteth.jpg

yes, we see it all the time.  a lot of it may b a metter of going to the wrong dentist.  some dr's drill too much for fillings, (put in amalgams, basically).  some hand out crowns like it's candy.  u can always come to us.
Torrie, Consultant
www.bikerchick.freehomepage.com
 I am a walking dental disaster. I have always taken care of my teeth,
 going to the dentist all the time. Yet, my teeth just keep getting
 worse and worse. Right now I am 25 years old and I already have 14
 crowns (that cover teeth that had root canal treatments), one molar was
 pulled out and I may need to pull another soon, too. Chances are I will
 need to have a few more crowns done this year. The remaining 13 teeth
 have all kinds of large fillings.

 My mom's teeth are quite bad too, while my dad's are pretty good (just
 a few fillings and maybe one or two root canals at the age 60).

 Basically, I'd just like to know if there is anybody else out there
 whose teeth are so bad at such a young age. All my friends have a few
 cavities, that's it. In fact, my parents' friends (who are in their
 50's and 60's) mostly have much better teeth than I do.
 I'm curious if there's anybody else in the same boat or am I some kind
 of dental paradox.

it is better than this:  http://i1.tinypic.com/mt5il4.jpg
 I am a walking dental disaster. I have always taken care of my teeth,
 going to the dentist all the time. Yet, my teeth just keep getting
 worse and worse. Right now I am 25 years old and I already have 14
 crowns (that cover teeth that had root canal treatments), one molar was
 pulled out and I may need to pull another soon, too. Chances are I will
 need to have a few more crowns done this year. The remaining 13 teeth
 have all kinds of large fillings.

 My mom's teeth are quite bad too, while my dad's are pretty good (just
 a few fillings and maybe one or two root canals at the age 60).

 Basically, I'd just like to know if there is anybody else out there
 whose teeth are so bad at such a young age. All my friends have a few
 cavities, that's it. In fact, my parents' friends (who are in their
 50's and 60's) mostly have much better teeth than I do.
 I'm curious if there's anybody else in the same boat or am I some kind
 of dental paradox.

Answer is yes and yes.

When I was in dental school I made full upper and lower dentures for
an 18 year old!

Today we would save ALL those teeth. Please post photos and x-rays and
we can help you through this.

Joel

BUT you better get NO AMALGAM or Biker Chick will be all over me!

Wait a minute, they might not be a bad thing.