Root Canal Treatment for DS3 (6) - I need advice!!

[Hassled]

DS3 has an infected tooth (one that was actualy filled last year) - causing what seems like a lot of pain but in very short, infrequent bursts. He's been on antibiotics since Monday and tomorrow is having root canal work under a local anaesthetic. I have got my head round the fact they can't just pull the tooth because that will affect spacing and by the time the adult tooth comes through (when he's around 11 or 12) there will be no room for it.

The dentist says she has to try at least once before she can refer him to the special clinic place where he could have it done under a General. I'm scared silly by the prospect of a general - 2 of my older DCs have had them and were fine, but I found the whole thing terrifying. I'm also scared silly by the prospect of DS3 having the injection thing and then having to lie still with his mouth open for 20-30 minutes (time estimated by dentist). There's all that awful gag-reflex/wanting to swallow stuff, PLUS DS3 has Verbal Dyspraxia which affects the movement of his mouth/tongue and I don't know if that will make the whole experience worse.

Has anyone been through this with their DCs? SHould I try and insist on the General?

I'm not sure if what follows is helpful or will just freak you out but my DD1 - then 8 - had an abcess on a tooth and was treated with 2 lots of antibiotics to get rid of infection before tooth was extracted. She had the extraction under local anaesthetic and there was some teeny bit of infection left so it hurt a bit. The dentist seemed to me to be kind and nice to her throughout the process (which only took a few mnutes) but DD was distraught by the whole experience and was very distressed by subsequent visits to the dentist for a few years. Even now, despite (new) incredibly gentle and kind dentist, she finds check ups an ordeal.

I had a root canal job done and it is quite an effort to keep mouth open etc etc: it's a lot to expect of a child, especially one with issues surrounding mouth/ tongue etc

I know a general anaestrhetic is a much bigger deal than a local but I'd be inclined to go for general (but in a hospital, not in dentist, so there is proper mediacal back up). Good luck

Thank you - I had a horrendous root canal experience myself a year or so ago; the dentist tells me children's roots are shorter so it's a lot quicker but I'm just beside myself by the prospect of seeing him go through that. And scared that getting him to a dentist ever again will be a nightmare. ARGH!

my ds(6) has just had four teeth out, though he was sedated rather than a general. are you sure it's a general?

I am guessing it is a baby tooth that needs the treatment?

A root canal on a milk tooth isn't as detailed as on an adult tooth. It is more commonly known as a pulpotomy. The root canals on baby teeth are very short & usually easy to obtain access to. As they are short they do not contain much nerve material, so yes, it will be quicker.

TBH, I am surprised that she going down this route & worrying at this stage about crowding. It would be better, I would have thought, to remove it, considering his age & recurrent problems.

I would be inclined to try without a GA, tbh.

SEA - tomorrow they're trying with a local, if he's unco-operative then he'll be referred elsewhere for a general. Both prospects are terrifying me (and he's not even my PFB )

Sandcastles - yes, it's a baby tooth. A couple of friends have queried whether they shoudln't just whip the tooth out, but the pages I've googled (yes, I know) have reinforced what the dentist said about crowding problems later.

There is no justice - I restrict sweet eating to rare occasions and he's always been an enthusiastic tooth-brusher, unlike DS2 who has never had any problems with his teeth.

oh sorry misread. blimey my ds will be in trouble with crowding then!