Sedation Inhalation or General Anaesthesia

[Boda2021]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice from anyone whose child required teeth extraction (9 year old with Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation). Our child needs to have 4 back molars taken out due to this condition and we have been given the option of sedation inhalation (gas and air) or a general anaesthesia and we’re wondering if anyone has experience with either of these options for similar aged child? Thank you

anaesthetist pov... i would discuss it with the person who'd be doing it. Which option is likely to be best depends on lots of things.

Our DS had the first set adult molars extracted under general anesthesia, all 4 at once due to the same condition.
The surgery made such a difference and he has recovered really quickly and was finally pain free. It was a day surgery, the hospital recommended to keep on top with painkillers, which we did.
We are now waiting for a referral to orthodontist as his second set is out and shifted forward but not enough and there is a small gap.

I'd go for general anaesthetic. I would imagine a 9 year old would be very distressed inhaling gas and air then having 4 teeth pulled out !

I would ask them to tell you which they'd recommend. I had gas at the dentist when I was little (too many teeth-no I don't know why my mum didn't query this) but I didn't think they did this at UK dentists now? Unless you mean it'll be at the hospital? I would be reluctant to have a GA for such a young kid personally, but that's why I'd ask the expert to tell you which they think is best.

Thanks all for the responses. We have discussed the options with the hospital team and they recommend the general anaesthesia which we have agreed to now. They say it’s the least traumatic for the child and quickest as they can do all 4 teeth in one go. Slightly worried still as never been through it myself with the GA but hopefully all will be ok and it’s safer these days I believe.