Dental extraction for 4 year old !!! -

[CathB2]

Finally got DD1 to the dentist last week (its a long story). When she stopped yelling long enough my (obnoxious, but NHS) dentist announced that one back molar would need extracting, one ok, the others could be fillable. She has to go to a clinic now and will have to be sedated for this. According to the dental nurse, because God knows the great man was too busy to bother telling me, she may have a condition called ameliegenesis imperfecta (?) which means the enamel on her teeth never formed properly, hence her teeth (luckily it seems only her back ones) are in a bad way (though not hurting). Apparently there is nothing we could have done, but feel guilty anyway!

I am completely petrified by the thought of her being sedated, not to mention all the ensuing dental problems. Am unbeleivably angry with my dentist for being such a thoughtless, tactless, uncaring *.

Has anyone got experience of this condition, or denatl extractions and anaesthesia in small children? Also, any recommendations for a good children's dentist in N.Herts? (does not have to be NHS)

[littlemissbossy]

Hi Cathb2, my ds had a problem similar to this when he was 6. His tooth wasn't extracted, just covered with a special coating of some sort. My dentist (NHS) said that as it was a milk tooth, it would be coming out soon anyway and not to worry about it, until we could check the condition of his permanent teeth.
This condition is inherited, so do you or your partner have a similar problem? If so, I would suggest that you request a referral to a specialist paediatric dentist/dental hospital - not that I want to worry you or anything, but it's best to be informed properly and due to her age, dealt with in a sensitive manner
The condition is discussed on this dental school website, just copy and paste
www.dentalschool.bris.ac.uk/departments/CHDH/newsmiles/aidi_faq.htm#what

BTW, my ds has not had any further serious problems, well other than the fact that he doesn't always want to clean his teeth! HTH

[catgirl]

I don't have any first hand experience, but a friend's dd had to have a tooth out at age 5, at dental hospital in London and was completely fine, but that won't make you feel any less guilty! Another friend's ds had kidney reflux (I think that is what is was) as a baby and the medication he was on has meant that he has 'weak' enamal/teeth - adult ones too - so he has had them coated in something to stop them rotting - so lots of options going forward.

[Polgara2]

Hi Cathb2 - my dd1 had a tooth extracted when she was 6. I was really worried about it and couldn't bring myself to let her have a general anaesthetic so she had it done with a local. Have to say they were excellent with her! They rubbed magic gel on her gums first then put the mask on to give her the happy gas(!). So when she had the local in her gum she was blissfully unaware and they did everything from behind so she couldn't see what they were doing. They were talking to her all the time, I was crouched on the floor holding her hand (trying not to be squeamish because I absolutely hate the dentist!!). She was absolutely fine and more concerned about getting the right stickers afterwards . I think it helped dd1 that it was a lady dentist and nurse (without being sexist!) and we had visited them for her initial assessment and she had tried the mask out so she knew what it felt like on her face (although she did say she didn't like it at the time !). HTH

[incywincy]

hi,
my ds had his front tooth extracted earlier this year aged 2 and now has a very fetching gappy smile. He fell over on the patio and broke it below the gum line so they had no option but to remove it. We live in Herts and could find no one who would do it as he was so young although they all helpfully said it was too dangerous to leave. Eventually we found out about the Paediatric dental service at Kings College Hospital who saw him as an emergency and arranged for an extraction the next day. It was done as day surgery, we had to not give him food or drink after 2.30 am (for a morning operation). They used gas only, through a mask to anaesthetise him then took him into surgery for about 15 mins. Then straight back to us on the ward. This was the hard bit waiting but as soon as he came back he was awake and we were allowed to leave within 45 mins after he'd had a drink. He was eating and drinking normally by the next day. There were a lot of children of all ages there having extractions done, a bit conveyor belt ish, one in to theatre for 15 mins, back to parents, next one in etc. All were walking talking discharged within 45 mins max. We were worried before but they were excellent and it was over and done with in no time and with the anaesthesia I held him whilst they put the mask on until he was asleep. The only issue is the looks we get as if to say how much chocolate did you feed that child for it to have missing teeth so young :-)

[Barbaloot]

DS has had 2 teeth extracted, both extra incissors. 1st was a milk tooth and it was pulled as soon as it came through far enough when he was 3 or 4. He had the choice of a local or nothing and opted for nothing; it came out quite easily luckily. 2nd extraction was a permanent tooth (again an extra incissor) when he was 9. Again he had a choice - a local or some sort of sedation, with the sedation recommended. He chose the sedation which might best be described as a 'trip'. He had bizzare dreams and saw double while he was coming round (although he wasn't fully unconcious), but overall didn't seem too fazed.

[CathB2]

Thanks all for your advice also for the link. I am managing to keept it all together a bit better now and managed to ask what I hope are the right questions of the dental clinic so am feeling a bit better about the whole business. Apparently they will give her a pre-med in a drink so that they can have a good look at her and decide what to do then and also which anasthesia to use. I asked about coatings but was told that they cant be used on milk teeth, however this was the receptionist. Will be doing further research on this though.