5 Year Old with Cavity Between Teeth - Oral Sedation to Fill?

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old has a cavity in between 2 back teeth (the dentist called it a "kissing cavity"). He suggested oral sedation for getting it filled because filling it will require "a higher level of precision" and he's not sure my son will tolerate the procedure with just nitrous oxide. Is the procedure for filling a cavity in between teeth that much more difficult than a regular filling? Also, I'm very concerned about using oral sedation (or any sedation) in a dental office. I want the cavity to get filled, but don't want to put my son at risk.

[Anonymous]

NP- I’m interested in hearing others’ thoughts about sedation, too. My 8 year old had a cavity filled and sealants done with nitrous oxide. I guess it went great, but I wondered if it was necessary. I don’t want to traumatize her, but I kind of felt like she could have handled it. When do they stop using nitrous oxide? I’ve never had it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t want my 6yo sedated for a filling, personally, unless there was good reason. That said, my kids tend to be pretty relaxed/do fine at the dr and dentist (even for shots, blood draws etc). If a very anxious kid that would be different.

[Anonymous]

My kid handled 8 kissing cavities while using just the nitrous. I know dcum won’t believe me, but I don’t care. Kid has tight teeth. I thought I was getting the floss in there, but I was not. I assure you, I was horrified when I found out.

All that being said, it comes down to your kid. Mine has a bet high pain tolerance coupled with an ability to pass the marshmallow test. It can clearly be done. We have not met your kid. If you wouldn’t describe your kid as having a high pain tolerance, I would sedate.

[Anonymous]

See if you can find a regular “family” dentist. The push to drug small children for the convenience of the dentist seems to be endemic to so called “pediatric” dentists. Does yours call nitrous “happy air?”

[Anonymous]

Agree go to a family dentist.

We've had two deaths of children in my town from sedation.

[Anonymous]

Your concern is very, very valid.

[Anonymous]

What is oral sedation? Novocain? Or nitrous? Or something else? (Asking also because I was frustrated about our dentist filling my kids first cavity with no pain management. But maybe that’s the norm?)

[Anonymous]

We just did nitrous for my 7 year old. Worked like a charm. I was terrified of using Novocain because she hates needles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid handled 8 kissing cavities while using just the nitrous. I know dcum won’t believe me, but I don’t care. Kid has tight teeth. I thought I was getting the floss in there, but I was not. I assure you, I was horrified when I found out.

All that being said, it comes down to your kid. Mine has a bet high pain tolerance coupled with an ability to pass the marshmallow test. It can clearly be done. We have not met your kid. If you wouldn’t describe your kid as having a high pain tolerance, I would sedate.

We had a pediatric dentist who wanted to do 8 fiilings under sedation.

We left and took our kid to our dentist who still shakes his head about that 20+ years later. He did one filling and watchful waiting without problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is oral sedation? Novocain? Or nitrous? Or something else? (Asking also because I was frustrated about our dentist filling my kids first cavity with no pain management. But maybe that’s the norm?)

OP Here - The dentist mentioned using Demerol or Midazolam. It's supposedly a drinkable solution. No food or drink from midnight the night before.

[Anonymous]

I’d get a second opinion. My dd has weak teeth so multiple fillings and never got sedation.

[Anonymous]

We see a family dentist and two of my kids had a tiny cavity between teeth like this. If your child is getting regular checkups, the cavities should be fairly superficial and they shouldn’t need any sedation. Ours never even mentioned sedation and the kids were probably 6-8 yrs old (can’t remember exactly). It was quick and painless for both of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is oral sedation? Novocain? Or nitrous? Or something else? (Asking also because I was frustrated about our dentist filling my kids first cavity with no pain management. But maybe that’s the norm?)

OP Here - The dentist mentioned using Demerol or Midazolam. It's supposedly a drinkable solution. No food or drink from midnight the night before.

Hard no, unless your kid is special needs and/or has severe anxiety.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been following this - maybe talking to your pediatrician is a good idea.