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General health

has anyones 3/4 year old been sedated to have fillings??

21 replies

nikcola · 09/11/2005 17:33

took dd shes 3 4 in a few weeks, she has 2 really bad holes in her bottom back teeth the dentist said she must have fillings as they will get worse and cause her problems, for this she has to go to another dentist who does sedation for this age, im really worried about them putting her under does anyone have any experience


tia xxxxxxxxxx

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 17:34

sorry she is 3 , 4 in 3 weeks x

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frannyandzooey · 09/11/2005 17:45

I haven't any experience of this, but just wanted to say how awful for the both of you. I can see why sedation is perhaps the best option and could be a lot less distressing for her. What part of it worries you the most? I hope someone more helpful will be along soon...

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 17:48

i think im just worried about the beeing put to sleep bit as im scared someting will go wrong

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sweetkitty · 09/11/2005 17:49

I've had sedation myself and for me it was amazing. But I'm an adult and knew what was going on I don't know how much a 3/4 year old would understand. I came to a few times but it's not scary more like a dream and it's a bit funny when they bring you out of it I was really shivery and sleepy for the whole day.

I thought they didn't like to give children fillings as they are baby teeth and would just pull them out?

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 17:51

i have been sedatied a few times too, twice for dental work (really bad dentist he messed up my teath ) im really worried somthing will go wrong with her being under like she wont wake up x

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 17:51

i have been sedatied a few times too, twice for dental work (really bad dentist he messed up my teath ) im really worried somthing will go wrong with her being under like she wont wake up x

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 17:55

i too thought that they would pull the terth out im so ashamed my 4 year old will have 2 fillings

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frannyandzooey · 09/11/2005 18:05

It's horrible for you, Nikcola; I hope when you see the dentist he can reassure you or maybe go through some alternatives. There doesn't always seem to be a lot of justice as to whose teeth decay and whose stay healthy, does there? I have been very lucky with my teeth, despite not looking after them very well when I was younger, yet my dp, who is quite painstaking about his, has a mouthful of fillings.

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 18:07

thnaks everyone, i know im beeing silly and she will be ok im just really worried im not sure if they will sedate her and she will be awake but not all there iykwim or if they will give her general A,

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PollyLogos · 09/11/2005 18:14

I think its the best option Nickola. DS2 had exactly the same problem and after 2 horrendous attempts (on separate occasions)to fill his back teeth, he was sedated. The first two experiences were extremely stressful for everyone (me. ds, dentist and dental nurse) and I wish we had gone for sedation in the first place.

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nikcola · 09/11/2005 18:18

was he ok afterwards? was he sedated or put to sleep as in general A, or was it sedation where he is awake but unaware of whats going on ???

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PollyLogos · 09/11/2005 18:34

It wasn't a general. To be honest it was about 5 years ago,but I think I gave him a tranquilizer thatmade him relax and open his mouth (that was the main problem!) and then allowed them to give him an injection.

Actually, now I think about it , because he was so difficult, I kept putting off going and eventually he had to have the two teeth out. (This is a child who screamed his head off every time he had a hair cut until he was 5)

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PollyLogos · 09/11/2005 18:35

He was fine afterwards,by the way.

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geogteach · 09/11/2005 18:48

Where are they doing it? DS1 was born with no enamel on his teeth and as a result is having one removed and 2 sealed, he was refered to the hospital dentist and will have the work done under general in 2 weeks time

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nikcola · 10/11/2005 09:54

they are sending her to a nother bigger dentist who do sedation for yournger children my dentist only do it for over 5's

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nikcola · 10/11/2005 09:54

they are sending her to a nother bigger dentist who do sedation for yournger children my dentist only do it for over 5's

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mymama · 10/11/2005 10:34

My dd's 4 back top and bottom molars came through with gaps in the enamel. She was very late getting teeth - 15 months old when cut first tooth so her molars were also very late. First dental appointment at 4 showed the problem up. They basically had to be filled and coated. First one done in dentist's chair but very distressing for her. Then chose to have rest done under a ga. Luckily for us because the one that had already been done had an abcess under it and had to be root filled and she now has a stainless steel cap. Sounds a lot of a four year old but the second teeth will be affected by the condition of the first. My dd had many ear infections and temps from 6 months to 18 months and apparently this can cause the enamel to stop and start forming on the teeth and that causes the gaps. We have been told her 2nd molars will also be most likely affected. Although I felt like a bad mum etc etc etc I do feel good that I got them fixed and not taken out as many friends and family said. $3000 later though

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melissasmummy · 10/11/2005 14:20

Nikcola, is she being sedated or put to sleep?

I think she is having the best option, TBH. I have been a dental nurse for 15 years & it can be very traumatic at this age to undergo dental treatment without sedation. It will be easier for the dental team to work on her, meaning it will over sooner & hopefully the 1 visit will be enough.

I am sure you have read the media stories into sedation & general aneasthetic & so understandable you are worried. Please be assured that only dentists who take extra courses & examinations are now allowed to perform any type of sedation & even then they must have an aneasthatist in the practice to watch the patient.

Dentist's in general practice are not allowed to, unless they have gone thru the ness procedures. The guidelines & rules are strict about what can/can't be given to children & how long they should be sedated for.

Please be assured that the team working on your daughter will have the highest qualifications & training to be able to do this.

I hope all goes well, and hope your dentist is addressing the issues of what caused the holes in the first place. (not wishing to sound patronising to you, but some dentists offer treatment without looking at the cause & the practice sedating your daughter won't look into diet.)

Good Luck

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nikcola · 10/11/2005 17:12

hi, they said sedation so i supose they will sedate her, does this mean she will be awake but out of it? i supose this is better than putting her to sleep,

thanks for the advice and reassurance xxx all i have to do now is wait for the appointment

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Twiglett · 10/11/2005 17:16

DS had 2 when he was about 4 and 2 months

they don't use a drill because the teeth are so soft and they fill it with soft stuff too

he wasn't sedated though, just bribed

I found out DS's enamel hadn't formed properly

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melissasmummy · 11/11/2005 14:25

Nikcola, yes she will be awke, this will easier for the team as she will be able to follow instructions, like open wide etc.

When she is sedated she will not be sure of what is going on, so she will have little recolection of the treatment.

Twiglett, in some cases they don't use a drill, in many tho, they do. It depends on the depth on the hole & how hard it is to get too. As yet there is nothing as effective as the dental drill.

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