fillings for a 3.5 year old..

Angiesmommy

DD has 2 cavities in her her upper center teeth. Dentist recommended filling them while DD is under anesthesia. She had a horrible experience 6 months ago at a different dentist and today's visit for a check up and cleaning was all screaming and struggle. Anyone have experience with fillings for their youngsters? Someone on my home board said their dentist waits and watches the tooth... preferring not to do fillings on baby teeth if it's avoidable. Just the thought of putting her under makes me nervous.

 

rsd12

our dentist does not like to do fillings either on baby teeth. we are not in a wait and see mode since we have been putting a topical flouride on the teeth with cavities. he has three, but it is caused by bad teeth not imprope care. they do not look pretty but they are hard again and the dentist is hoping to wait till they fall out. but he was also born with a cleft, so his dentist does not like to torture the kids more. but he sees the dentist every 3 months to keep an eye  on these teeth.  sorry no experience with fillings, just know there are other options available if you catch them in time.

angelakh

DD had one filled on her bottom molar about 6 months ago.  They did twilight anesthesia in the office and she handled it fine.  Her cavity was on a nerve so they ended up doing a cap.  She has really bad baby teeth just like I did as a kid, so it's not due to me not brushing enough  I think that it's best to take care of it before it becomes a bigger issue. 

Meg&Jesse

Do you go to a chidren's dentist?  DS had a cracked tooth that needed to be pulled.  We wanted to do it under anesthesia; however the tooth got progressively worse quickly and we ended up with an emergency appt where he only had numbing on the gums.  The dentist was amazing..truely amazing.  He sang to DS the entire time and was just so wonderful about the whole experience.  This was not our regular dentist, but a children's dentist our regular dentist recommended.  So..my point is I would feel comfortable doing any dental work with a dentist that is experienced working with children.

MomEads

I agree with PP about going to a pediatric dentist. I work as an assistant at a pediatric dentist office and honestly getting those teeth filled probably would not require general anesthesia. I've filled those teeth on 18 month olds with no issues as long as the parent/s were there to sit with them and hold their hands, etc. The approach pediatric dentists take is very different than general dentists. We use different terminology and explain everything step by step. I've had kids come in that we literally need to pull off the walls due to previous poor experiences at other dentists, and the next time they come in they run back, smiling, and hop right in the chair. I would find a pediatric dentist and get a second opinion and maybe go from there. Good luck!

Angiesmommy

Thanks ladies! For those who asked, it was a regular dentist. DD went to a pediatric dentist when she was 3 weeks old because she was born with teeth. I definitely see the difference in the way they handle children. I'm taking DD in for a second opinion but this time to a pediatric dentist. Maybe he will have different suggestions and maybe DD will just feel more comfortable there. We'll see.

shopgirl78

We have had 2 filling one in a permanent 6 year molar and one is a second molar which will not be lost until DC is around 12.   Thats a long time for decay.  I'd also get a second opinion but remember your DD will not loose that tooth for at least another 3+ years.   That's a long time to have decay in the mouth esp in the front. She will go to school with those teeth if its going to be visible or anything like that, I would consider it.  DD has hers filled with nitrious oxide (both times), no issues but we have had no issues at the denitst.   They go to pedi dentist and actually look forward to going.  Now, DD has to have a cap...