Wait and see on a cavity on back molar for a 7 year old?

[Anonymous]

Another dentist here, agreeing with first dentist. One step further is to request SDF- silver diamine fluoride- it arrests the cavity by killing the cavity-causing bacteria. The SDF liquid drop can be flossed through the spot, preventing the drill and fill. Google SDF if you like. It's quite a handy alternative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another dentist here, agreeing with first dentist. One step further is to request SDF- silver diamine fluoride- it arrests the cavity by killing the cavity-causing bacteria. The SDF liquid drop can be flossed through the spot, preventing the drill and fill. Google SDF if you like. It's quite a handy alternative.

First dentist here.
We just started using SDF (I work in a clinic) and I thought it could only be used on gross caries. Good to know it can be used the way you describe - I always tell my patients to dip their floss in ACT or some equivalent product. Thanks for the info!

[Anonymous]

No, get it done now. Your child will not feel a thing. When they are small they are very easy to get rid of.

[Anonymous]

Consider sealant for any of the it her teeth that may have some shadowing on the xrays. Insurance won't cover sealant for baby terth, but as Ben Franklin said "an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure"

[Anonymous]

My 8 year old has had some cavities filled between teeth (they needed to be done), and they were not fun. We tried Nitrous with the first one, and he HATED it. So we haven't used it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another dentist here, agreeing with first dentist. One step further is to request SDF- silver diamine fluoride- it arrests the cavity by killing the cavity-causing bacteria. The SDF liquid drop can be flossed through the spot, preventing the drill and fill. Google SDF if you like. It's quite a handy alternative.

First dentist here.
We just started using SDF (I work in a clinic) and I thought it could only be used on gross caries. Good to know it can be used the way you describe - I always tell my patients to dip their floss in ACT or some equivalent product. Thanks for the info!

You're very welcome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8 year old has had some cavities filled between teeth (they needed to be done), and they were not fun. We tried Nitrous with the first one, and he HATED it. So we haven't used it again.

Why did he hate it? Did it make him nauseous?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 8 year old has had some cavities filled between teeth (they needed to be done), and they were not fun. We tried Nitrous with the first one, and he HATED it. So we haven't used it again.

Why did he hate it? Did it make him nauseous?

It's because they put the hose over his nose, and tell him to breathe in with his nose and out through his mouth, but he's 8 so he's not very good at that. And then the gas is running the entire time the hose thing is on, and it freaked him out to have it constantly blowing on his nose.

Some kids are fine with it, mine was NOT. He was crying and freaking out, and we were trying to figure out how to get him to calm down for the filling, and finally I asked if the gas was bothering him and he nodded his head so we took it off. Then he was fine the rest of the filling.

[Anonymous]

I agree. If it's that tiny, she shouldn't need more than topical numbing and it will be quick and easy. Wait and it'll be even more traumatic.

[Anonymous]

Just do it. Maybe get a new dentist? I would suggest one that does not give medical advice on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another dentist here, agreeing with first dentist. One step further is to request SDF- silver diamine fluoride- it arrests the cavity by killing the cavity-causing bacteria. The SDF liquid drop can be flossed through the spot, preventing the drill and fill. Google SDF if you like. It's quite a handy alternative.

First dentist here.
We just started using SDF (I work in a clinic) and I thought it could only be used on gross caries. Good to know it can be used the way you describe - I always tell my patients to dip their floss in ACT or some equivalent product. Thanks for the info!

You're very welcome

Pediatric dentist here: SDF works great for small cavities and not gross cavities. Look up the SDF protocol from UCSF dental school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another dentist here, agreeing with first dentist. One step further is to request SDF- silver diamine fluoride- it arrests the cavity by killing the cavity-causing bacteria. The SDF liquid drop can be flossed through the spot, preventing the drill and fill. Google SDF if you like. It's quite a handy alternative.

First dentist here.
We just started using SDF (I work in a clinic) and I thought it could only be used on gross caries. Good to know it can be used the way you describe - I always tell my patients to dip their floss in ACT or some equivalent product. Thanks for the info!

You're very welcome

Pediatric dentist here: SDF works great for small cavities and not gross cavities. Look up the SDF protocol from UCSF dental school.

I'll definitely look that up. Thanks.

I don't know which protocol we are using, but it involves placing the SDF on kids with rampant decay, waiting a month or so, and then throwing some Fuji IX in there to sort of get these primary teeth to limp across the finish line. Working in a clinic, that's unfortunately the majority of patients we see.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you are unsure of what to do with the treatment options your current dentist has given you, why not seek another opinion from a respected pediatric dentist, especially if your DC has some fear issues? It is interesting to hear the opinions of the dentists here, but they can't examine your child, so this seems rather pointless if not unprofessional to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you are unsure of what to do with the treatment options your current dentist has given you, why not seek another opinion from a respected pediatric dentist, especially if your DC has some fear issues? It is interesting to hear the opinions of the dentists here, but they can't examine your child, so this seems rather pointless if not unprofessional to me.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another dentist here, agreeing with first dentist. One step further is to request SDF- silver diamine fluoride- it arrests the cavity by killing the cavity-causing bacteria. The SDF liquid drop can be flossed through the spot, preventing the drill and fill. Google SDF if you like. It's quite a handy alternative.

First dentist here.
We just started using SDF (I work in a clinic) and I thought it could only be used on gross caries. Good to know it can be used the way you describe - I always tell my patients to dip their floss in ACT or some equivalent product. Thanks for the info!

You're very welcome

Pediatric dentist here: SDF works great for small cavities and not gross cavities. Look up the SDF protocol from UCSF dental school.

I'll definitely look that up. Thanks.

I don't know which protocol we are using, but it involves placing the SDF on kids with rampant decay, waiting a month or so, and then throwing some Fuji IX in there to sort of get these primary teeth to limp across the finish line. Working in a clinic, that's unfortunately the majority of patients we see.

Pediatric Dentist here: So you are doing some form of ART and in your clinical situation that is okay. I do that for the kids I see when I go on mission trips who have problems accessing care. Helps hold them up a bit.

Do you ever refer the kids, especially the little ones, to a pediatric dentist or you just monitor?