I Would like Advice on 4 Year Old's Dentist Sedation

I would talk to them about the reasons they think that general sedation is required and get a 2nd opinion. When DD was 4 we chose the OR route for 7 fillings and a possible baby root canal. She has since had smaller fillings and a cap done without general sedation. They used nitrous on my DD but no demerol, etc. They did use lidocane or whatever the shots were (have to look) so she was not in pain. It sounds like what you are describing is not in an OR but in the dental office? When you say "sedation" I think of going to the OR and being put under general. Or do you mean that it's just routine office stuff? Is it the nitrous that could make her stop breathing? I would think they could do much of her routine fillings without major sedation at this point.

ETA: I am also wondering why this is a 3 part process. When DD had her 7 at once, that was to keep her from 4 sessions in the chair.

why cancel?
just be honest & say NO if that's your decision.
the dentist can try it, & if your child freaks...then the next round will be sedation. Easy Peasy.

Sounds like a lot for a filling and a measurement unless there is a whole lot of drilling to be done or it's otherwise going to be long and uncomfortable for her. To measure her, do that have to put something in and out a zillion times until they get it right?? I get that they don't want to traumatize her, but good pediatric dentists have all kinds of techniques for relaxing a kid or making it "fun" and sort of a game. If they're sedating her just for their own convenience or so they don't have to engage the child, that seems counterproductive. Is there any chance that they are doing it to give the students more experience? Then I don't think they have to do all their teaching with your child!

I wouldn't just cancel - I'd get another opinion so you can feel comfortable about it. But if you don't trust them for this or anything else, then take a stand and get more info from another dentist. It's okay to speak up and say you aren't thrilled with excessive sedation.

i think the most important thing for you to do is to make an appointment to talk directly to the dentist (not his front desk people) and ask all your questions and get comfortable (or not) with the procedure, the decision-making and reasons. there's no way any of us can tell you why THIS dentist chose THIS procedure.
i agree that's a lot of full-on sedation. my son just had nitrous for pretty heinous oral surgery and did great, but he was older. he did get put under to get his molars out.
putting her under for a filling and measurement seems over the top, but i don't know the full story. maybe your daughter is particularly wiggly. but again, it seems that if they're going to put her all the way under, they should just go ahead and do everything on the agenda, not keep bringing her back.
but you need to be confident in your professionals and comfortable with the procedure on which you're signing off. you have a right to be fully informed as to why your dentist feels this is the best way, and maybe after he's explained it all you'll be fine with it.
don't walk around anxious and wringing your hands. call them today and set up an appointment and go in with a list of questions. you'll get much better answers based on your own kid and your own dentist there than you can here.
khairete
S.

Hi :)

My children when they were young had fillings and had teeth pulled. We just did it at the regular dentist office (he sees kids and adults) and he just froze their gum and cheek with the needle. They were fine. But we've never had caps or space maintainers, so I am guessing that it is much more involved.

Did you ask if they could do it without sedation? I would definitely have the work done, but can you double check to see if there's an alternative? I guess that's where I would start. Sometimes they recommend it for kids who get upset or don't stay calm. I don't know how your daughter would make out, so that's a consideration.

I understand your concern - my kids have done well with sedation, but I would prefer not to use it if there's an alternative.

Good luck :)

My son had to have anesthesia because being spectrum there is just no calming him down. Even with teeth cleanings he bit. Thing is they did everything, four crowns, all at once.

My other three kids had everything done without anesthesia so if there isn't a medical reason don't do it. This is not based on distrust in anesthesia, I work for anesthesiologists, we have five mobile dental units, I know it is safe. It is just any of our doctors will say you don't just do this unless there is a reason.

There is no reason to have broken this up into three procedures and insurance shouldn't be covering it so I have to wonder since it is a school are they practicing on her?

When my daughter was 4, she needed her front teeth fixed. The plan was to try to fix themusing a little gas to relax her--not sedate--and if we could nto get it done, we would have to sedate. We did end up wrapping her in a blanket. But we did get it done. They told me that it was possible they would have to repeat because she was crying so her teeth kept getting wet. The filling could have failed. But still there and everything has been fine.
My son will have work done in June. He will be sedated and they plan to do all at one time. For that one, i know they will not be able to get it done without sedation.

If it were me, I'd tell the dentist to just use nitrous oxide this time. It's not hard to fill a tooth and measure with laughing gas.

It is much better to have them sedated, than to be scared during the procedure, especially if it looks like she is in for more dental work.

It sounds like you are taking her to some pediatric specialists, and they are very well experienced in working with this light sedation.

You've already seen it is difficult to do anything without the sedation, even getting x-rays..... just trust in the dentists...

Even for a filling, they will still have to use an injection of novocaine to numb the tissues in the mouth, and that is a scary thing, even for adults! (For me, that is the worst part.... getting the needle....)

They have told you they use a very light sedation... not enough to put the patient to sleep, just to relax them so they aren't agitated.....

Please trust them...... they know what they are doing.

When you say oral sedation is that Nitrous Oxide? My son had the shot when they had to pull his teeth and that was better for me personally. However he was 10 and not 4. If it's necessary for them to do the procedure, maybe see what the alternative is to whatever they use, or go to a Pediatric Dentist.

Yeah, I'd nix the Demerol or Valium. Nitrous Oxide would suffice. I would assume. Why couldn't they have done everything at once? Regardless, do what you feel is ok to YOU. I wouldn't be okay with sedation, personally.

My boys have never had oral sedation, and they have both had many teeth pulled to make room for adult teeth. They just freeze he area with a needle. My son had a filling and he didn't even need a needle to freeze it. I would definitely ask if all this sedation is actually necessary. Sounds like a bit much...

I would get a second opinion. It's probably fine but that seems like a bit of an overkill unless your daughter really freaks out at the dentist.