Huge dilemma-dentist Updated at bottom

Dd has a huge fear of the dentist. They used a tool called isolate that keeps the mouth open and it all went downhill from there. We tried 3 more times to do the same procedure, no Luck. Sent to oral surgeon and found out they won't sedate with anesth. At 7 yrs old only oral sed., Valium. Basically he told me once in, he's getting it out. This is making me nervous as he mentioned that even if he had to hold her down. He said otherwise, we can take to the operating room and the anesth. Is much more dangerous to her age group. I don't want the or at all but I also don't want her restrained. I am dying thinking of either way for this procedure. They have to pull the last tooth which is cracked. Wwyd? No win situation

Message edited 12/12/2013 11:50:45 PM.

Re: Huge dilemma-dentist

Wouldn't the oral sedation help though?

Huge dilemma-dentist

Oh god, as bad as it is... I would do general anesthesia. If you do hold down, she may have fear issues for many years. Praying for you both

Huge dilemma-dentist

What about the "laughing gas"? That was the on,u way I would be able to go to the dentist when I was little. I still hate it, but I don't need the gas anymore....

Huge dilemma-dentist

I would at least go for a second opinion. It would scare me that he would say he would restrain her no matter what. I had a terrbile experience with the first dentist I went to as a child. Went to another one who was much better at keeping me calm and dealing with my fears

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Go to the Operating room.

If you have tried it 3 times with no luck, you have no choice.

With an anesthesiologist, your kid will be safe.

A co worker of mine had general anesthesia for cavities being filled.

Just check your insurance coverage.

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I think I confused some, sorry...
The dentist and the oral surgeon experience are two different entities.
The dentist tried 3xs with laughing gas and said her anxiousness was above the level for this. She would need to be sedated at the oral surgeon.
When I got to the oral surgeon, they won't fully sedate a 7 yr old unless in the hospital. They will do an oral sedation with Valium. She is awake just groggy. I assume groggier then just laughing gas.
I read the above responses but as much as restraining sux, I think a hospital or is a lot scarier and riskier. I am not saying either choice is easy.

Re: Huge dilemma-dentist

If your kid is healthy, OR is not riskier because you have an anesthesiologist monitoring your kid.

That being said, you can try the oral Valium. Neither that nor the laughing gas make her unconscious... But may chill her out a bit.

Huge dilemma-dentist

Go to the operating room. DD will be doing this shortly and I know a ton of children that have been knocked out for the procedure and had no issues....most 7 and under. Restraining her, in my opinion, will be giving her a huge fear of ever going back to the dentist and if you have never restrained your child before, take it from me, it is not an easier thing to do seeing them in so much fear and pain.

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I would think the Valium would knock her on her a$$. She may still be awake, but not aware/rational about the procedure. I would do that before trying the OR. Are you allowed to stay with her during the procedure? I bet between the Valium and you being with her that she will get through it ok.

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I had a horrific experience. DD had a cavity so bad she was in so much pain and her behavior was horrible. DH tried several times to get it filled the normal way, needle and drill. They got it about 1/2 way done and she wouldn't finish and then wouldn't open her mouth again for the dentist. We had planned to go to the hospital for the anesthesia but it takes time to get the appointment, like months. Eventually she was in so much pain, crying in her sleep. We knew she had an infection. Made an emergency appointment at the pediatric dentist the next day for what we thought would be just for antibiotics. He took one look and said it has to come out. We ended up holding her down. It was awful, I was in tears. But as soon as he numbed it, her whole body just relaxed. Thats how much pain she was in. We held her down, he pulled it out and it was done. When we got home, she told me she was so happy we made her do it because now it doesn't hurt. I feel awful but it was the lesser of the 2 evils. Btw, she is 7.

Huge dilemma-dentist

Oral sedation with Valium will knock her out if they can give it through the IV. That is what they use for wisdom tooth surgery and it works wonders. I would not do anything where they have to hold her down. That will be so traumatic. If IV sedation with Valium isn't enough I'd do anesthesia. Eta : ask if they can give her Valium through IV because it will put to sleep.

Message edited 12/10/2013 8:31:16 PM.

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I kinda agree with the exception that dh went on 2 appts I went on 2 with dh. I think he last 2 I have been problematic bc she escapes straight to me. Eyes nd all and begins to freak like....mommy!!!!!! I told dh I think he should go in, not me.
This was to nferrandi

Message edited 12/10/2013 9:08:44 PM.

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Huge dilemma-dentist

I know this is not what u wanna hear but we did oral sedation with my dd plus laughing gas and it didn't knock her out, not even close. The dr said some kids it just has the opposite effect, kinda makes them hyper and my dd was one of them. Lucky for me dd loves loves loves the dentist like a freak lol so it wasn't a problem. Good luck, I know I was a worrying mess and that's without any prior bad experiences.

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I can only speak from my own personal dental phobia. My mother took me to a dentist when I was 7. I remember it as if it was yesterday (it was over 30 years ago). He hurt me with the needle. I wouldnt open my mouth. He tried to pry my mouth open. He stuck something in there to try and pry my mouth open. I bit him. He refused to finish and my mother was forced to take me to a pediatric dentist for the next 10+ years. To this day I would rather have my finger nails ripped out than go to the dentist. On the once every four year appt, my DH takes me and I pop a pill. I do not recommend restraining a child. I would go with the least traumatic solution.

When i had my wisdom teeth (all four at the same time because I knew I would never go back again) the oral surgeon sedated me and I do not remember anything...

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Huge dilemma-dentist

Just to put it out there, I have had to restrain my DS for filling cavaties and I don't think it has traumatized him at all. He's not happy while the drilling is happening, but once the work is done, he recovers quickly and is happy to see the dentist the next time we go. Just wanted to give another perspective.

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wrong post.

Message edited 12/11/2013 6:54:21 PM.

Re: Huge dilemma-dentist

DS needed a tooth pulled. It would have come out with just novican but it needed to be done at the oral surgeons office. DS wouldn't let him get the needle in for novican. They used the gas and he was out. He actually had 2 surgeons in there . One specialized in children's sedation and the other pulled the tooth. It was a total of 15 minutes until he was up and about.

I would not hold him down. That is too dangerous and if a dentist is recommending that find a new dentist. After that my DS was very nervous about dentists, but we have a great one and knows her limits with DS. It took a couple of visits for him to be comfortable