What would you choose, a local or GA for a tooth extraction for a 5 year old?

[santaslilhelper]

My 5 year (a little 5) has got to have an extra tooth removed in the next few months. I have been given the choice of my dentist doing it with a local anaesthetic or her going into hospital to have it taken out with a GA.

I don't like the thought of either, not sure if a 5 year old would cope well with having it taken out the local way.. and hate the thought of a GA..

Has anyone any experience of a tooth extraction for a child of this age?

My dd1 had a GA at the age of 6, she needed some crowns (weak enamel) and was too freaked out by work being done in her mouth whilst awake.

She didn't like the needle in the back of the hand part, but the rest was easy for her tbh - she was sick once after waking up (probaby because I lifted her up too quickly!) and pale for a few hours, then fine. She did have it done at a paediatric dental practice though, and they are very experienced with sedating kids.

For her, it was the obvious choice - but I guess it might depend on how your little one is likely to feel about having things done to his/her mouth?

depends on the child, totally.

i had one taken out when i was little, i can't remmeber how old i was but certainly no younger than 5 and no older than about 8

had it done with a local and didn't even notice them doing it. baby teeth come out really, really easily.
but then i was never bothered by the dentist anyway...

I think it also depends on how good the dentist is. Some dentists can administer local anaesthetic and you barely feel a thing, with others you are in absolute agony.

Dd had a tooth extracted at the same age under 'conscious sedation' - worth checking if there's anywhere in your local area that does it. From a parents pov it was hard work - as any kind of medical op would be & seeing your child be sedated. Dd got very upset during sedation until it kicked in (a matter of seconds even though it seemed longer!) and again when coming round after the procedure - again only for a few minutes until she fell asleep, but she has absolutely no recollection of any of it, and can only remember being driven home afterwards.

It has a much shorter recovery time than a GA - I was in the car with her 30 mins after the op once she could sit up, and is less risky overall. You also have the advantage of no memory of the extraction so no ongoing fear of going back to the dentist which is always a concern if they are awake in the dentist chair.

Good Luck

DS2 had a GA for the same at that age (but luckily didn't have to have it removed - they managed to fill it instead) but he had big big issues regarding the Dentist, and they actually insisted he was treated under the local Dental Hospital. It was stressful but considerably less stressful than attempting to do it whilst he was awake!

On the other hand, my sister had a tooth removed at the age of 5 or 6 with no anaesthetic at all - she didn't understand how the injection was supposed to make her mouth feel, and he assumed she was upset just because she was scared, not that the thing hadn't worked. Oddly enough she shrugs it off now (and wasn't that upset afterwards) and has no problems with dental treatment.