Tooth extraction

[haggis01]

HI wondered if anyone had experience of different techniques. My DS aged 8 had two back molars (one on each side) come through when he was a baby with enamel missing and got cavities. We had them filled ( privately) using an ozone treatment that has meant we have avoided extraction up until recently. One of the molars has a large cavity and a piece broke off last week, just before a dental hospital visit (to discuss chronic overcrowding of the adult teeth).
The dentist at the hospital said the molar needed to be removed as it could abcess or sink into the gum as my son has no adult tooth above waiting to come down, so the tooth will not naturally fall out)and told me to go to my dentist.
Went this morning and my son managed to have the injection but kept saying his gum was sore so the dentist waited a long time and then my son got a little panicky - the dentist refused to extract the tooth "as my son had human rights". I was given a lecture about cavities and squash (he has never had any - we are very strong on tooth hygiene etc) and then about how my son reacted to stress and how perhaps I could look at my parenting techniques!!!

On of my older children had a tooth extracted at this age but the dentist just got on with it really quickly and she coped (although she is actually the more squeamish of the children).

Anyway - finally my question. The dentist says the dental hospital should take the tooth out with General Anaesthetic - however, as a child I almost died after a GA tooth extraction, so am not at all keen on this option for something fairly trivial.

A friend told me there is a half way solution - using entonox and an injection - does anyone know about this? and someonelse mentioned IV clinics. has anyone had this problem with a child and solved it? Does anyone know of a really good children's dentist (could pay privately) anywhere from London to Brighton?

Any help would be great.

bump

Hi,

As a dentist, and now as a mother, I hope that this will help you....

Nobody NEEDS a general for a tooth extraction.
Arguments against

1. risk of the anaesthetic + recovery time.
2. Waiting lists.
3. Lost opportunity to learn about coping with dentistry.
4. May make child afraid of hospitals as well as dentists.
5. Inconvenience to parent/ carers
6. cost if going private.
7. cost to the taxpayer if NHS.

Arguments for

1. Child less likely to get upset.
2. if it is a complicated / time consuming extraction (which it may be if the tooth is decayed) dentist can get on and do the job without having to worry about upsetting the child.

General anaesthetic performed in hospital is now very very very safe. There have been changes in regulations following episodes like the one you experienced (and worse) to make things safe. In my experience most children are actually asleep for less than a minute!

If your child needs an extraction, get it done...I have seen many children with chronic and severe pain from dental abcesses, and they are very occasionally life threatening.

The option you describe of entenox + injection is brilliant. It is not entenox but is something similar that is controlled by the dentist. This means that your child gets just enough to make them happy but not enough to send them to sleep. Ask your NHS dentist to refer your child to the COMMUNITY DENTAL SERVICE (there will be a long wait), or you can go privately. This is great: no recovery time, very safe and your child will remember the whole thing and it will be a positive experience.

Finally, however you feel about dentists, try if you can not to project this onto your child. Some tips...

1. get someone else who is not scared to take them to the dentist.
2. once you have met the dentist and are happy, wait in the waiting room during treatment (believe it or not, most children are better like this).

3.If your child has questions which you find difficult to answer (because you don't know, or because you think he'll be upset by your answer) try saying "i don't know, but lets write this down and we can ask the dentist next time".

Thank you very much for your reply Sprinkles. Will look into the injection and gas option. I may be able to do this through his hospital referral.
Thanks for all the advice.