Cavity and Filling for a 4 year old?

rachie1019 · April 2014

DS has a cavity and has his filling tomorrow. I promise we brush his teeth! Our dentist said he has deep grooves in his back teeth making it difficult to fit brush bristles in them.

Has anyone's little ones had a filling? Our dentist recommends nitrous gas. Do you agree? I'm not just trying to be cheap to avoid the $90 fee for that. But is it really necessary? She is also doing the lidocaine gel and then novacaine injection. Does he need gas too?

I just don't want hom to be too loopy if he can be comfy without it. Or just do it? His good preschool friend had a filling last year and was fine without gas.

Thoughts? Thanks

notreallyirish · April 2014

Did the friend have to get a shot? I imagine that makes a big difference. I had a filling at 5 or so and didn't have gas, but it was superficial enough I didn't need a shot, so it didn't hurt at all. Also, it might make a difference where the shot is. Shots in the roof of the mouth hurt like a mofo regardless of lidocaine.

rosesandpetals · April 2014

Personally, I would avoid the gas if possible. Maybe you can try and see how he does, if he is too scared or the shot is painful, then give him the gas. I had to tell my dentist beforehand if I wanted it, though, so I don't know if they will let you decide at the last minute like that.

Anecdata, I had a filling with no gas when I was 5 or 6 and I don't remember it being a big deal. A friend's son needed one at 4 and they had to give him the gas because he was terrified.

MomIn2013 · April 2014

I think I would probably give him the gas, I think it's helpful in keeping them relaxed. I actually remember having gas (lol) at the dentist and thinking it was a cool feeling. I was probably a bit older, though, since I remember it pretty well.

rachie1019 · April 2014

Thanks ladies! I think I will just do it then. His dentist is almost insisting on it and I trust her. I know it's super important for him to lay still so the more relaxed the better. His original appt was a few weeks ago but we changed it since he had a cold. The staff said they couldn't risk him coughing and moving around, on top of him being contagious of course. I had gas for a root canal. Super loopy! They pushed oxygen after and I was fine. Do you think they'll do the same for DS?

rachie1019 · April 2014

joirish said:
Did the friend have to get a shot? I imagine that makes a big difference. I had a filling at 5 or so and didn't have gas, but it was superficial enough I didn't need a shot, so it didn't hurt at all. Also, it might make a difference where the shot is. Shots in the roof of the mouth hurt like a mofo regardless of lidocaine.

And yeah shots hurt like crazy, even with numbing gel. I don't think his friend's cavity was as bad/deep as DS.

MomIn2013 · April 2014

I think the gas wears off pretty quickly after they turn it off, I'm sure he'll be fine. If it was my DS, I'd prefer a bit of loopiness over him being freaked out/afraid.

rachie1019 · April 2014

Awesome! Thanks ladies! Gas it is

cactus5 · April 2014

My 3.5 year old had a cavity and filling a couple months ago. She did have gas, but no shot as the cavity wasn't that deep. She was totally fine after we left-I think we waited 5 min. or so. She had to have sealants since she has deep groves as well-so did my 4 year old son although he did not have any cavities yet. Is your doctor doing sealants?

rachie1019 · April 2014

cactus5 said:
My 3.5 year old had a cavity and filling a couple months ago. She did have gas, but no shot as the cavity wasn't that deep. She was totally fine after we left-I think we waited 5 min. or so. She had to have sealants since she has deep groves as well-so did my 4 year old son although he did not have any cavities yet. Is your doctor doing sealants?

Yes she is! I actually forgot about that, but yes now I remember her saying that.

SallyAnneS · April 2014

I always get the gas and never get freezing. The needle for the freezing freaks me out. They pump oxygen after and i am able to drive home so i think your Ds will be okay.

Good luck with all of it.

jillyjill1026sr · April 2014

I understand your hesitation, but nitrous is 100% reversible. The second administration ceases and only oxygen is provided, your son will be right back to normal. The pediatric dentist I worked for used nitrous a lot but never pushed it on a family. $90 seems steep- the general dentist I work for now charges $76 per hour, and there is no way a skilled pediatric dentist will take an hour to do a filling on a 4 year-old. Only you know your son best and what he can tolerate. I don't want to say no one uses Novocain, but anesthetics have come a long way and most dentists around here use Citanest or Septocaine, which both work faster, better, and have a shorter numbing time so he won't be feeling the effects all day long. Hope your son does great! Good luck

rachie1019 · April 2014

jillyjill1026sr said:
I understand your hesitation, but nitrous is 100% reversible. The second administration ceases and only oxygen is provided, your son will be right back to normal. The pediatric dentist I worked for used nitrous a lot but never pushed it on a family. $90 seems steep- the general dentist I work for now charges $76 per hour, and there is no way a skilled pediatric dentist will take an hour to do a filling on a 4 year-old. Only you know your son best and what he can tolerate. I don't want to say no one uses Novocain, but anesthetics have come a long way and most dentists around here use Citanest or Septocaine, which both work faster, better, and have a shorter numbing time so he won't be feeling the effects all day long. Hope your son does great! Good luck

Thank you so much! That makes me feel better. I actually was worried about Novacaine because it lasts so long. I was afraid he would bite his tongue or lip. (Been there... Barf!!) The other numbing medicine sounds good. I used to work for an Ophthalmologist so eyes I understand. Teeth not as much. Plus he's my baby

caybeh · April 2014

I had a lot of dental work done when I was that age. My parents brushed my teeth too, but I guess my teeth were just bad. I had gas for all the work and was always fine afterwards. GL!

rsd12 · April 2014

My 4 yr old recently had a filling. The dentist did not use anything. But it was not a deep cavity. He said kids have a slower reaction, and he would have more pain with a needle and numbing than just drilling. My son walked out smiling ; )

NicoleWI · April 2014

DD had two fillings. She goes to a really great pediatric dentists but she would hardly even get through cleanings, AND, she is sensitive about noise so I couldn't imagine her handling the drill noise okay. I really thought this would be a disaster but somehow, it actually worked out fine. First, they had her do a couple check-ups where I did not go in with her. Once she got through that okay, they did the fillings. They could only get through one the first time so we had to go back for a second visit, but it was amazingly Okay. My dentist did NOT recommend any gas, etc, as he says you are never sure how kids will react and it can actually make things worse. It also makes the whole process much longer. All I know is that somehow, he got my DD through the first filling NO PROBLEM. She didn't even mention the lidocaine hurting or anything afterwards, even when I asked vague but leading questions. She did the second appointment no problem as well. Both appts were super quick, like less than 1/2 hour, and then she was totally okay for normal activity afterwards. Based on our experience, I would just try it w/out the gas.

rachie1019 · April 2014

Well, DS survived his filling today. He did so great! Brave little boy. He did get the nitrous and it was totally fine. The only problem is that he bit the crap out of his left cheek when he was still numb. Lots of blood. The assistant said he will most likely need Tylenol tonight. Poor buddy! You know when you bite the inside of your cheek and you can hear a crunch? Yeah BARF!!! He seems ok now though. So thanks for all of your advice and thoughts. He survived

MomIn2013 · April 2014

Glad it's over with!

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