Fillings for My 4 Year Old with Out Numbing His Mouth

Normal! If there is going to be any kind of pain, either way it comes after everything wears off. He would feel more pain from the injection sites than with the gas. With 4 year olds it is much safer to use gas. Young children squirm. PLUS, how do you think he would react if he ever caught sight of that needle? Times that by 3. You'll be nervous until it's all over haha but don't forget the video camera for when he comes to from being knocked out... HILARIOUS!

My grandson has had teeth filled using gas and he seems to have no pain even after the gas wears off. My grandson is hyper and the gas mellows him out so that being at the dentist feels good to him.

My daughter is terrified of needles. She has had all but one of her cavities filled with nothing at all and the last one she requested gas because the dentist told her it was a little deeper than the rest. She has never complained of any pain. Surface cavities don't typically touch the nerves in the teeth. If the dentist recommends gas, go for it.

That's how they do it at my pediatric dentist. For small cavities in older kids that don't need gas they start without numbing it. My oldest had one tiny one filled and they told him to raise his hand if it started to hurt and they would put his tooth to sleep. He made it through just fine.

My daughter needed fillings and had just laughing gas, and my cousin works in a children's dental office and that's how they do it there as well. Fillings are not typically a painful procedure, my daughter had no pain during or afterwards, just some sensitivity in the filled teeth that night.

That sounds wrong!!! I would get a second and/or 3rd opinion. Research the effects of the gas. Not good. What the heck is wrong with numbing him? That is ridiculous. I would seriously consider getting another dentist. Is this a pediatric dentist? Does he allow you to be with your child during the procedure (big red flag if he doesn't!). Nitrous will not make it so that your child won't feel the pain. Would you have your teeth drilled without numbing? Nitrous is usually not covered by insurance either. Usually they put some topical numbing stuff on the gums and then inject a numbing agent. You want your child to have a positive experience at the dentist so that the child won't develop a fear and will get the necessary treatment. Your question sends up big red flags in my mind!!

my son's dentist does this... one went well and one he fought.
I will save havig just had filling myself... the shots of nociane hurt more than the filling and that is a HUGE needle...... would probably freak a kid out. Maybe ask him what he will do it the gas does not seem to be enough?

I was at the dentist recently and she said, "You have a small surface cavity. I can fill it now. It doesn't even need novacaine." I must have looked at her like she was crazy because then she said, "No, really it won't hurt because it's just a surface cavity." Anyway, I let her do it - absolutely no pain whatsoever - amazing!

And then I wondered why hadn't any other dentist over all the years done this with myself or any of my kids.

So after that it was time for my four kids to have cleanings. My youngest ended up needing two surface fillings and my 17 yo ended up needing a couple as well. They both had them done no novacaine or laughing gas. They both said they didn't feel anything either.

Then she topped it off by pulling my daughter's front side tooth without an injection. She did use some numbing gel and the tooth was wiggly. I was terrified - sure it would hurt. But she said if it was hurting at all she'd stop and numb it up. That tooth was out in about 2 seconds flat and my daughter didn't even flinch. WOW - who knew?

Great experience!

All the pediatric dentist I have heard of put the kids out and do the work in a few minutes, without pain, without fighting, without fear, etc....I would never take a chance the doc would just go ahead if my little one cried while the work was getting done.

For my daughter, they only used laughing gas.

Numbing to me, is for procedures that will hurt.
Filings... depending on where/how deep/how bad... do not necessarily hurt.

I have had several cavities filled without numbing. Just had one done about a month ago in fact. If it's not very big and comes no where near the nerve there is no pain at all. Just the same pressure you'd feel with the shot. I hate getting the shot becuase I'm actually allergic to one of the numbing agents they use. There is another that is used that I am not allergic to but I have to remember to day something or they have to remember to look at my chart. I avoid it as much as possible.
My kids have had work done without numbing on occasion and just had the laughing gas and they were happier for it because they didn't have to deal with their face being numb for an hour or so and you didn't have to watch for them biting it etc.
Your dentist isn't trying to torture your child I assure you :)

I'm a hygienist & in our office the Dr. often uses an anesthetizer called "the wand". Basically, it's still local anesthetic that numbs the gum & tooth, but just localized to the tooth being worked on so it doesn't numb the entire side of the mouth. It's a teeny needle on the end of a clear "wand-like" handle & looks nothing whatsover like a shot. Kids are totally fine with it. However, we also have a great pediatric dentist downstairs in our bldg that routinely uses nitrous oxide (gas) for fillings. The gas wears off as soon as the mask is removed with no adverse side effects; it doesn't numb the mouth in any way, just take the edge off. I wouldn't sweat it if your DDS feels like using gas will be fine for your son. Stay in the room with him without hovering & he should do fine. Best of luck!

A., I'm all for second opinions if need be. That's why I highly recommend visiting Dr. William Domb of Upland. Yes....it's a little far from us, but it is definitely worth the journey to see this phenomenally, stellar, holistic dentist whom Dylan adores! He grants so much love to children and is so spirit of play and always on the cutting edge of new holistic technology. In fact, Dylan recently got his first cavity a few months ago, and Dr. Domb was able to handle it naturally with no drilling at all and the tooth remineralized. We so love Dr. Domb! : )

Here's his contact data:

190 North Mountain Avenue
Upland, California 91786
1-###-###-#### / 1-888-809-0150
http://www.smilestudio.com/

Another stellar dentist who comes highly recommended is Dr. Hila Robbins. : )

Here's her contact data:

10231 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite. B
Los Angeles, CA 90067
###-###-####
http://www.lakidsdentist.com

BTW..... I just saw this thread on handling cavities naturally with nutrition on Mothering:

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/399989/cu...

Also, this is truly intriguing and true to heart: "Big Bad Cavities: Breastfeeding is Not the Cause" -> http://mothering.com/print/2525

And, this is such an enlightening study about prenatal and baby teeth ->
http://www.thedentalessentials.com/current_dental_trials_...

We also love The Dental Essentials -> http://www.thedentalessentials. com/healing_ cavities_ s/21.htm and Cure Tooth Decay ->
http://www.curetoothdecay.com.

Feel free to call me if you have any questions. You can always reach me at: (323) 906~2784.

Wishing you and your sweetie the best of thoughts! : )

With lots of love,
L. and adventurously spirited and imaginatively creative, 3 year old, Dylan Orion. : )

pff, it'll hurt like he**! I still remember my first filling at 6 years old and the dentist did the same thing to me - it was awful. I am still convinced that he was just trying to make me remember the pain so I would be better at brushing my teeth. I could be totally wrong and this could be normal course of business for young children, but I am a 40 year old woman who can still remember everything about that dentist visit. We never went back there again.