4 Year Olds First Dentist Appointment...

I would get a second opinion. A root canal sounds extreme to me.

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get a second opinion... I took my daughter to a dentist, they said she needed about 8 fillings! I then took her to another dentist that said the first is a crook. Her teeth are fine and put some sealant on her molars.
Is your son in pain? Does he have a large hole in his tooth?

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I can't think of any good reason a 4YO would need a root canal. Play the upset-mommy card, call another office (or three) and tell them the story. You might be able to get a second opinion for free... and find a better dentist to boot.

Good luck, hon.

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I have never heard of a 4 year old needing a root canal. Also, $300 for what a cleaning and xrays? Call another dentist and tell them what happened before you go so you know how much it will be. Our pediatrician referred us to our pediatric dentist. You are not a bad mom. Hang in there.

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I'm no expert, but can't understand why a four year old would need a root canal. Those teeth are going to fall out in a few years anyway. I do think you should look for another dentist's office, and that office can request the x-rays for you (you'll need to fill out an authorization form).

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I just googled root canal and found this website article
http://mizar5.com/root.htm
Please read it before you do anything. This is a quote from it.
"Literally millions of root canals have been done when in reality there was no need for this procedure." I would NOT let my child be subject to a root canal when other non-invasive procedures haven't been tried first and YES get a second opinion.

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I had a dentist tell me 19 years ago I needed a root canal. I didn't have it done. I have been to several dentist since with no cavities. Trust your gut.

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A good pediatric dentist will put your child to sleep and do it in the out patient surgery center in a hospital like setting. It is so wonderful this way, they go to sleep, have all the work done in just a few minutes, then they wake up and want to go play and eat. It is so easy and is so low stress on the kids.

I think getting a second opinion is a good option anyway. But spending another $300 is kind of silly. Call your insurance provider and find out if this is normal. The insurance should cover almost all of a child's dental appointment, even x-rays and cleaning.

At 4 yr.s old I think having it pulled would be the cheaper option too. He'll be loosing it in a year or two at the most, that's a lot of money to spend on a tooth that is not a permanent one.

is he having pain? if not dont worry about it and get a second opinion!! my daughter had to have two cavities filled on her last lower molars (one on each side) her dentist is amazing!!! she was on laughing gas and only felt the first needle poke. she was so patient with her. i suggest taking your son to a pediatric dentist.

My daughter goes to a child dentist. Did her whole life. Find one in your area and go to them. Yes you can request they sendover the exrays but they will probably want to do their own. Just better all around i think,

Definitely get a second opinion and ask for a copy of the x-ray. I suggest visiting toothsoap.com to read about dental health and how to reverse cavities and avoid future problems. I know people who have been told they needed root canals who used alternative medicine methods such as energy healing and herbal mouth cleaning methods and the problem went away.

I used to work in pediatric dentistry and it is not a root canal, it is a pulpotomy where the root is partially cleaned out and packed. It was never a big deal for any of our patients. The dentist I worked for never drugged or medicated the children, only local was given. It is really nothing for them unless he picks up your feelings and then will be terrified for no reason. Make sure they show you the x-ray and explain how much damage there is so you can see for yourself. There are alot of shysters out there. What was the condition of the rest of the teeth? If that is the only one, I would question that.

I'm a hygienist. You can get discounted fees with some good pedodontists through Aetna Dental Access. you pay about $100 for a year of discounted rates. So you would pay the much lower rate that the dentists accept from insurance comapnies rather than the fee for service rate. Your child will be just fine with the procedure. It's a pulpotomy, rather than a pulpectomy, which means they clean out some of the canal, not as extensive as on an adult tooth. Which is needed when the decay is to the pulp of the tooth. Pedodontists tend to use nitrous (laughing gas) which works great and comes right out of their system very quickly.
If you do decide to get a second opinion, the office you went to can give you the xrays to take, you would be paying for a second comprehensive exam with the new dentist.

A root canal at 4?? No chance I would let my son have this done without a 2nd opinion. First of all, I think you should go to a pediatric dentist if you aren't already. I think the term "family dentistry" is pretty loose and really is geared more toward adults.

I'd check out pediatric dentists in your area (check reviews to find the best one), and call them. Explain your situation and ask whether your current dentist can fax over x-rays for them to take a look at and give a 2nd opinion. Then if he does actually need a root canal and it's legit, you're dealing with someone 100% trained in administering anesthetic to children and also possessing the bedside manner for children.

At our pediatric dentist, the appointment also costs around $300 - but that was just the first one. I was reimbursed for most of it later from my insurance co. Now the dentist just estimates my bill and charges me that...if there needs to be an adjustment, they either send me a check or a bill. I just took in my 5 year-old and 2 year-old and our whole visit cost $60. And they did x-rays on my 5 year-old as well as a check-up, and a first-time check-up on my 2 year-old.

I'm so sorry you hot such bad news at the dentist.
Yes, you can get a copy of his x-rays & make an appt to have the other dentist review them. It def won't be as much b/c he won't be having a cleaning, etc. Just let them know when you call to make the appt that you're wanting a 2nd opinion appt.
Also, my sisters friends son needed a root canal at 5 yo. The dentist said fruit snacks are the cause of the root canal b/c they are pure sugar. Just thought I'd share in the case you give them to your kids. We only use them as a bribery tool when we're doing photos of my kids.