Pediatric Dentistry

[Thammer]

My son who is almost 4 had an abcess no his lower right molar.  I took him to my Dentist, and he advised that he had decay in the tooth with the nerve showing, along with several spots of decay on several other teeth.  I took him back and my son would not cooperate, so we were referred to a Pediactric Dentist.  I took him to the Pediactric dentist today.  He was nice, he came in spent about 5-7 minutes looking at my son's mouth and told me he would need tons of work.  2 molars pulled (lower), 2 uppper molars would need capped, several other teeth would need filled, and he may have to pull his two front teeth due to a decay between them.  He then said that there was 3 ways that he could do it.  At the hospital under general anesthia, in the office with an IV drip or in the office under twilight.  I am so overwhelmed.  We are talking about $2200 in dental work if we take him to the hospital to have it done all at once. We have dental insurance, but not enough to cover all that needs to be done.   I always thought that dentists try to save teeth if they can.  I know I am not a dentist, but it seemed like alot to absorb.  Also no x-rays were taken.  I'm not sure what to do.  I know he needs the work done, especially the two lower molars.  He currently has an abcess on the other lower molar.  Should I get a second opinion?  

[Susan1944]

I'd go with the IV drip and pay it out monthly if you can. I only wish my grandson had been offered what you have at age two. He had just as much work as your son and it was so hard on me and on him. He had to have one tooth pulled but only because it had 3 absesses due to his mother's neglect.
  If the IV drip puts him to sleep you are one lucky mom.
I think not taking xrays is strange, though. Good luck.