Sedation for 6 Year Old

K., there are pediatric dentist who specialize in this sort of thing. I know here in the Bay Area there is a dentist in SF that can sedate in her office w/out the trama of having to go to the hospital. I know it is not the exact advice you were looking for but I thought I would give you that option.

M.

Dear K.,

Is she a Pediatric Dentist? I don't feel comfortable with him having to be put under. It shouldn't have to be so traumatic. This is not a good beginning to life long good dental care. I would check on other dentists, and ask lots of other parents. C. N.

How did this turn out? My son who is 3 had to have some work done when he was only 1 year old and the dentist had a visiting anesthesiologist (comes once a week) give him a shot of Ketamine. It is kind of freaky, they pretty much freeze asleep with their eyes open but he had NO idea what happened when he woke up. Then when he was 2 he needed some more work and they were able to give him nitrous oxide which worked out great. I do not see ANY reason why a 6 year old couldn't have nitrous (happy gas) if my 2 year old could. Keep looking for a better pediatric dentist (even among those there are some better/gentler than others) and someone who will thoroughly prepare your son for what to expect. For example mine gave my son a rubber nose mask that they use, so we could take it home and play dentist to get ready for it. He also had several appointments just to "count teeth" to practice laying in the chair and to get to know the dentist. Good luck!

A friend of mine just had almost every tooth in her 6 year old mouth worked on. I believe she went to a oral surgeon and they put him under there in the office. He snapped right back and was fine after waking up. Full sedation in the hospital sounds drastic to me.

Before you go to that extreme, look for a pediatric dentist. Not only do they know how to work on little mouths better (and quicker), they know how to make the experience less frightening. They may also feel more comfortable with "relaxing" your kiddo with medication in the office without having to put him completely "under."

My daughter had to have a cavity filled at 5. It was a little one that could have been done with no anestesia at all, but to be safe, they gave her a shot to numb her. Once her mouth was numb, she freaked out and wouldn't let them touch her. By then, it started to wear off. I had to take her to a specialized pediatric dentist who had to put her to sleep. They gave her a liquid to drink which knocked her out. Then they put her in a papose (sp?) thing in case she woke up so she wouldn't move. They filled the cavity. She was sleepy for about 2 hours after and even threw up once. She couldn't even walk. I had to carry her and my newborn baby, so if you have any other kids take another adult with you to help. but its taken care of. This way was a lot less tramatic for her (and me). once the medicing wore off, she was fine. However, my insurance did not pay for it. i had to pay out of pocket. It cost $125. Hope my experiance helps.

Get a second opinion from a pediatric dentist. There are other ways to fill a cavitity besides sending them to a hospital for sedation. Plus, your dental insurance may not cover it because they may not deem it necessary. Plus when you go to a hospital, you will have to pay the hospital, and the anesthesologist and the dentist. If you can find a pediatric dentist that can put then under with an oral liquid like Versed or even laughing gas it would be better. My son had to be put under but he had 4 teeth pulled, plus he is ADHD and has mild autism and a heart condition. They sent him to an oral surgeon and did not even consider the hospital. So it just makes me wonder why a dentist would want to send him to the hospital for just a cavity to be filled. Try another dentist. You are entitled to that second opinon. Good luck.

PS: Plus check your dental insurance coverage to see what they cover. You surely do not want to be stuck with a bill for thousands of dollars just to fill a cavity.

Dear K. D,
My daughter had the sedation dentistry done in the hospital. They give the child a medication to relax them so they are not so afraid. Then they take them into the operating room and they are much easier to sedate. By then your child is so sleepy they dont mind going to sleep. I'd say do it. It's about 2 hours to put them under, fill any cavities, wake up time, and then recovery time before you take them home. They don't remember anything afterwards. They are a little sleepy afterwards give them a nap and by the next day they are pretty much back to normal. I'd rather have my kids have any teeth filled in that matter. They dont do any poking or anything started except for heart monitor tape until the child is fast asleep. Any questions please contac me at ____@____.com.... M. petersen

K.,

That is not uncommon to have your son be freaked out. Most dentists (I know of)do not attempt to do work on a child who is really scared. It has been my experience that they refer to a pediatric dentist who can use a combination of liquid meds to relax (not completely go under)the child so they can accomplish what needs to be done. That being said, not knowing what your son needed done perhaps it is very extensive work that requires hospitalization.

I have four kids ranging in age from 24yrs to 4yrs old and my kids have gone through many different dentistry situtations. Two having never had a cavity (my 15 and 4 year old). Then my oldest had a pulpectomy in the hospital. Then my eight year old, was in need of two fillings and she was also referred out to a different dentist (pediatric). We are in an area that doesn't have a ped dentist so we were going to our family dentist (also a very close friend).

The information I have shared is good to keep in mind, however your best bet is to ask questions, also ask around with friends and call other offices that deal with kids. If you choose to go for a consultation don't forget to get a copy of the x-ray from your current dentist. That way you will not need to pay for another or put your son through that process. Good luck to you I hope whatever happens it is non-tramatic to your son.

C.

Hi K. D -

Speaking as a parent that had similar issues with her child -- don't do it. That is completely irresponsible for the dentist to even suggest putting a young child under to fill a cavity.

My son is high functioning autistic -- so his thresholds for this sort of thing is pretty low. Nevertheless, once we found a really good pediatric dentist -- not just a regular dentist, because they typically have no experience and tolerance for the issues young children have -- everything has been fine.

I won't kid you -- the first appointment or two following his first horrifying experience with the wrong dentist were a little rough -- but now it is no problem at all -- We have an excellent dentist.

Unfortunately, we don't live near you. We live in the L.A. area -- but what I would recommend is ask other parents and ask your pediatrician for some recommendations.

Hope that helps -
J. Z

My much younger 1/2 brother had 4 or 5 cavities when he was 4yrs old and his dentist wanted to put him under. My dad and his wife took him to a pediatric dentist for a second opinion and was told he didn't have to be sedated. They were able to fill the cavities without putting him under.

You didn't say if you were seeing a pediatric dentist. If not I would start there for more information. Pediatric dentists study a couple of years longer than general dentists.

Good luck to you and your son.

Hi,
I had 4 children and 3 grand children. I feel that a 6 year old is to young for Sedation. I think maybe you should check with other mothers that have good experiences with Dentist that work with children and adults that are afaid. Are these teeth his permanent teeth or is he going to loose it anyway later? I am not saying to not take him to the Dentist, but unless he is in pain I would see if you could work with him at home to maybe try playing like you are a dentist and show him that it is mostly noise that he is afraid of? It will be ok
L.

Is the dentist a pediatric dentist?

My kids have been nervous but we have had great success with dental visits. Our pediatric dentist (who accepts most dental insuance) has television sets above the patients so kids can watch movies (or videos) while having work done. My kids don't get to watch alot of tv so they like going to the dentist so they can see movies and play video games. He and his staff are excellent with the kids and make it a positive experience.

Hi - I have no idea who your dentist is, however some dentists are "money hungry" and want children put out to do dental work.... This happened to my son when he was 5 or 6. Then we went for a second opinion to Dr. Jim Ellenberger in Riverside and the dentists agreed he had a cavity and needed it filled, however, they would be able to do it with laughing gas and numbness. He had like 3 Female dental hygenist that held his hand and head and he was fine.... I really recommend Dr. Jim if you are in the Riverside area.

Now my son, 9, goes to Dr. Silvola in Moreno Valley because our insurance changed... Anyway, in Dr Silvola's office, there is a Dr. Change whom my son loves as well. He walked my son through the process of the pick using to fill the cavity and he loved it. I hope that helps... Let me know.... Both of these are pediatric dentists.... It is so hard to find those that love their job and aren't out for money money money.

Hi K.:

My daughter just had to get her first filling in February (she was 6 as well). I've never really heard of them asking to send a child to the hospital for something like this though. Mine was very nervous as well, so our dentist gave her nitrous oxide (laughing gas). This worked wonderfully, and my daughter didn't even remember what happened when it was all finished. Our insurance didn't cover the cost, but it was well worth it. It cost us about $100. If it were me, I wouldn't allow my child to go through sedation simply for a cavity. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

K.,

My son is 3. He chipped one of his front teeth 2 days before xmas. After a couple of months of monitoring, our pediatric dentist advised us to do a root canal and crown so he wouldn't loose a front tooth for almost 3 years until it fell out on its own. We chose to do in-office sedation. They used nitrous gas to make him sleepy, though still alert. He responded to questions, wasn't anxious or scared at all. The whole procedure took 30 minutes, including the crown. I would see about using a different dentist that can do this in office. My son was off the gas and back to himself in literally minutes. I wouldn't consider putting a child "under" for just a cavity filling. I'll save that stress for something very serious.

K.,
My son was 2 1/2 when we found out that he had defective enamal and needed to be put under to get all the work done that was needed. I was sick to my stomach at the thought of such a tiny person under sedation. My pediatric dentist was HIGHLY reccommended and once a month he schedules appointments that need an anisthesiologist. Everything went great although it was not cheap and the anisthesiologist was not covered by our insurance. My advice to you is to find a pediatric dentist that does this on a regular basis in the office. I was so sure of my pediatric dentist that I have stuck with him even though he is in Goleta and I moved to Santa Maria (and now Ventura). Listen to your gut instict and make sure you can be beside your son the whole time if you wish. Hope I helped.

You should do what ever you feel what would be best for your son. But, I personally didn't want to have my son put under for a cavity to be filled. Maybe you should find a new dentist. I went to several dentists that just absolutly freaked my son out. He also was going to be sent to a hospital to be put under for his teeth, until I found a great dentist in Auburn. He is a pediatric dentist that has a great office that is totaly geared towards kids. This dentist was able to fix all of son's teeth, while he was a awake and fully aware of what was going on. He was not scared and will go back to the dentist any time. You might want to check them out. Send me a personal message if you want any more info about it. Good luck.

wow that is crazy. go to the hospital to fill a tooth. your best bet would be to get a new dr. one that knows how to take care of little people. my 7 year was scared to death of the dentist because her first visit was so bad i did not take her back till she was 8 years old that was not the right choice but finally i found the answer my daughters teeth were so bad she had to have surgery. she also has a bleeding disorder so it was a double wammy.i went to Renee Bassett Johnson ####-###-#### she sent me to a dentist that took my insurance and he was the best. he understood that my daughter was so scared that she would rather let her teeth fall out and be disgusting then go to another dentist. she will find you one that will work with your child and put you at ease. good luck tani