sedative dentistry

My son is very strong n hates his hair being cut, eyes being checked n teeth being cleaned. Now has cavaties...anyone have their kids have sediative dentistry. He needs an hour n half worth of work n think might be least traumatic if he is fully sedated? I have no experience. Please help

[specialmom]

Hi there----  my son has sensory integration disorder and tactile defensiveness----  doesn't like his hair cut and hates to have his teeth cleaned.  Sadly, he also got a cavity.  We use a rotating brush and good toothpaste and brush often.  He doesn't love any of this.  And flossing is something that he is resistant to.  So, he got a cavity.  

Due to his sensitve nature, he had this type of dental work done.  He was put completely out.  We opted to do it in the dentists office with a hospital based anesthesiologist that came out to admister the anesthesia.  We could have gone to children's hospital to do it as well.  Basically, they give them a little laughing gas and you, the doctor and your child play a game,  They do it with little things in my hand and one of his hands and he is suppose to count while they do it.  My son never saw or felt the needle hit his other hand/arm.  And he went right to sleep smiling.  About 45 minutes later, it was time to wake him back up.  I would say for about an hour, things were not much fun---  but everyone has a different experience.  It is like the child is "drunk" when they are up and they have trouble talking clearly and walking okay.  An hour is probably longer than it was but he became his normal self right after that.  My son was 7 years old when he had this done.  I would describe it as a good experience----  as good as anethesia and dental work can get that is.  

We tried to do something dental wise with him once just with laughing gas and it was still hard.  He just doesnt' like things in his mouth like that.  

I'm happy to answer anything else if I can.  good luck

[mcclure223]

Thanks...my son sound same as yours. He screams bloody murder when I cut his hair every 3 months, won't let me floss, only brushes to swish.n spit w special cup, n hates the dentist n restrained for cleanings. I feel like his dentist is pushing for patoal sediation n he will freak out... to much work is needed

[specialmom]

If your son is like my son and he needs some dental work done, sedation is a good idea in my opinion.  I was really worried about it beforehand as I had a hard time thinking of my kid under anesthesia, but he would have fought it otherwise.  One of the other advantages is that he has no recollection of anything unpleasant.  He has no fear of the dentist that he will have to go see for his life time.  That anxiety about going to the dentists tends to last.  He doesn't have it!  

It also was more costly than just filling the cavity.  For me, it was worth the expense.  

good luck!!  If you ever want to compare sensitive kid notes, let me know!

[skepticalpeach]

I'd do it because cavities can turn into root canals and then he could completely lose the teeth. Also, are you seeing a pediatric dentist?

My DD doesn't like getting her hair cut either. We get her to sit still for a hair cut by giving her candy, reading her books, or letting her watch a video during. She has to have her hair cut because she won't wear pony tails or berets. She also chews on her hair so I chop it!

[mcclure223]

Diva...tried all that n no luck, even though I cut it regularly w quiet buzzer he acts like I'm killing him. He is very sensitive when comes to stuff like this.

I feel better n will advocate w pedi dentist for full sediation. There is no way my 4 yo will sit through a tooth being crowned, another needing nerve trx and three filings wo being traumatized of dentist n possibly causing more damage. The pros outweight the cons

[specialmom]

I found the same mcclure.  Good luck with the dental work!