My son is also "allergic" to metal aka needles lol, thats how the dentist put it, quite funny. Anyway, we had him sedated with versed and the fillings went great, everything was done within a morning and he was back to himself by mid afternoon. The only problem that we had was that he had a reaction to the versed and he was angry and defiant after he came out, he wanted to walk to the car but couldn't even stand up and put up a fuss when we wouldn't let him, but that was very short lived and he doesn't remember it at all, so, no harm done. It is not a common reaction and I wouldn't say it would happen to your son, but something to ask about maybe, if they use that particular drug. I would NOT recommend laser. Our good friend is a dentist and he won't work on kids that are not frozen and if they won't let him freeze he sedates because it is too dangerous for the dentist and the child to work on someone that is upset. If the patient moves and ends up getting cut or worse with a laser, then the dentist is at fault and its just a bad situation. I highly recommend the sedation, much less traumatic and no needles, and best of all, your child will not be afraid to go back to the dentist!
Good luck,
Shelby, SAHM of 4 boys ages 10,9,6,and 2.
I've not ever heard about the laser dentistry but my son has always had to have anesthesia for his dental work. He has had a lot of work and when it comes to his "nerves" and mine, I really prefer having him have the gas. He's still awake for the procedures but is drowsy. It doesn't take long to have him come out of it either. I would suggest to take him to a pediatric dentist as well, because they seem to deal better with the little ones.
I was a pediatric dental assisant for 3 years. If the dentist wants to give your child a little laughing gas there is no harm and makes the child a more relaxed. If he wants to give you child any other kind of sedation I would find a new dentist. My advice is to find a new dentist, a pediatric dentist is always best because they are trained in the care of children.. General or family dentist tend to want to sedate the child after one difficult appointment.
My son is seven and has had 8 cavities filled while under "laughing gas". It helps a lot since he is quite afraid of denists. It took until he was 6 to get him to see a dentist and we knew he had cavities. We see a pediatric dentist which helps and the dentist suggested the "gas" to help with the fillings. The cost is not that bad, especially if your insurance covers half. Also, if you can't get them filled you could be looking at much greater cost in root canals and/or caps. It is worth it!
Our son had to have cavities filled when he was 5 and he did not do well with even teeth cleaning. Our dentist used laughing gas to make him comfortable and it worked great. They told him the mask was like being an astronaut and he thought that was fun. They said it wouldn't be covered by our insurance, but in the end it was. Good luck!
My kids have had a mixture of demerol, vistaril, phenergan, and then laughing gas (maybe some verset too). I think it was totally worth it. The kids don't remember anything negetive about the dentist, and it's not a huge tramatic battle for myself or the dentist either. I wouldn't do it any other way. Good luck!
I'm going through this right now with my eight year old. When he was first getting teeth he didn't have any enamal on his baby teeth. I stopped taking him in and now the problem has moved to his permanent teeth. The poor boy has to have a root canal and four of his baby teeth pulled. He may need braces. This time he has to go under general anetisia(sp) I feel you should do it now, to save trouble for later years. everything went fine with my son. Your child probably won't even remember it. Good luck!!!
I have a close family member in the dental field and I am also in the dental field. Light anesthesia for dentistry is often used and in many cases preferred for young children. It makes the experience for the child much easier and they don't take any negative memories away from the experience. Keeping a good attitude toward dental care is essential for young children because they will take better care of their teeth throughout their lives.
The offices I have worked in have not used the laser treatment, so I don't have any advice on that.
My 5yo has had dental work done under three conditions, laughing gas, general anesthetic (asleep), and then just with the shot of novocaine. She had the general anesthetic when she was just 3, she had about 6 cavities, and her pediatric dentist recommended going that route. It was great, she didn't have any pain, and she was fine. A while ago she had 5 cavities filled while under laughing gas and the novocaine. My DH took her in that time, and he said she did ok, she almost fell asleep while on the gas. She didn't freak out when they had to give her the shot of novocaine. Then just a couple weeks ago, she had an infected molar, and had to get it extracted. Her pediatric dentist was closed, so I had to get her an emergency appointment somewhere else. I didn't even think to ask, but they didn't offer laughing gas. It was a horrible experience. She freaked out during the x-rays (they make her gag) Then when they put the q-tip with the numbing gel in her mouth, she started crying and saying it was stinging. Then she got the shot, which was another ordeal, with her screaming. Then during the extraction itself, she was screaming at the top of her lungs, trying to get out of the chair, and it took several people to hold her still. It was so traumatic for both of us. She cried all the way home from the dentist. DH cried too, actually. The only way I have talked her into going back (she has a cleaning in a couple weeks) is by telling her that this time she will get to see her dentist, and not have to go to that one again.
So that's our experience, I am doing the laughing gas at least, every time from now on for her.
Hi Katie, the laser dentistry is great if the cavities aren't deep. If they are of any size, it won't work. Your dentist should have already gone over that with you I"m guessing. As far as the anesthesia goes, I'm not sure if you're talking general, in the hospital, or the laughing gas, or oral sedations. At 4 years old, I'm hoping you're talking about an oral sedation in the dentist office. Even with those medications, the dentist will numb up your sons mouth, if the cavities are large. One big misunderstanding people get when being refered to our office, we dont' put kids to sleep, they are awake, but dont' remember what happened after the appointment. Some kids fuss, even sedated, they dont' want anyone in their mouth, but the work can get done and its safe for everyone. If I can help out or answer any other questions, feel free to contact me.I'm a dental assistant at a pediatric office. Good luck, and trust your dentist, if you don't, find another one. Its the same as with your pediatrician, you need to trust who you're going to.:)Sue
My very wonderful pediatric dentist recommended the liquid medicine versed. Its a very low dose of something similar to valium and my son would get a little loopy then was fine with whatever the dentist had to do. Also, he uses nitrous but only over the nose and its such a low dose they don't fall asleep.
Hi, My husband is a dds at our office Corpuz Family Dentistry. I would think you need a second opinion. We don't put people out for fillings at our office. You may want to check with another dentist or two. Feel free to call our office if you would like, 334-5656, Good luck, Susan
My son is 9 and was fearful of the dentist when he needed a cavity filled. The dentist suggested anesthesia. It didn't "put him under." Instead, it was just a mask with a light anesthesia that helped him to relax. Things went great! My older son wishes the doctor had an anesthesia mask for when he needs to get shots!
Katie
My now 8 year old son has a form of arthritis that makes it very uncomfortable for him to open his mouth wide enough for dental procedures. He has been put under anesthesia 3 times now for dental work. He has done very well waking up and we have been very happy with it. They should require a full history and physical from your pediatrician before using anesthesia though (if it's general or iv sedation) This is just a precaution to rule out any known reasons your child may have difficulty with sedation. I wish you the best of luck and will be thinking of you.
Katie, i am scared of dentists, i haven't been to one for years now not even for cleaning so i made sure my daughter (6 y/o) won't end up like me. She had few cavities filled 6 months ago, & i told the dentist i don't want her to freak out, or yell, or cry, or get scared...in other words i don't want her to have a bad experience & be scared to come back. The dentist talked to me about anesthesia and i agreed after researching about it. It was done at a hospital, & 4 more kids had the same procedure that day & my daughter was happy to see 2 kids, one ahead of her & the other to be done an hour after her. The anesthesiologist used a mask to put her out, the dentist did the work & it was over after an hour. She was groggy afterwards & couldn't stand up, she cried a little bit 'coz she was feeling so weak, but overall it was a great experience. Now she's excited to see the dentist for cleaning.
Talk to your dentist about the whole procedure & read about it on the internet, it's a little expensive but it's woth it, anything for our kids, right?
Our son had his sedated dentistry done this morning and it was a very good thing because things were worse than they appeared and it took longer and was more complicated. He’s doing fine now and I’m very happy we took this route. Thanks again.