Dentist second opinion ?

[mommymakayla]

I took my DD to the dentist back in may for her usual year check up.
She wouldn't let them touch her but they could tell that she has a 3/4 cavities. So they sent me to a specialist. We went and they told me they would fix anything that needs to be fixed including a cleaning. Only problem now is the cost and i have to wait a little less then a year cuz of the waiting list, since they will be putting my DD to sleep during all of it.
My only problem is my MIL wants a second opinion and my DH wants to wait to see what teeth will fail out before that !!! And he doesn't want the procedure done, cuz shes so young.

thoughts ?

 

[RachA]

How old is she?

It really depends on how much you trust the dentist. I really trust mine and would trust anyone he referred me or my children too so I wouldn't ask for a second opinion.

 

[mommymakayla]

How old is she?

It really depends on how much you trust the dentist. I really trust mine and would trust anyone he referred me or my children too so I wouldn't ask for a second opinion.

shes 5. but by the time she gets in done will be 6.
The dentist told me that he is the only doctor in the city that does it.
Since they will be putting her to sleep .

 

[RachA]

I don't think I'd wait to see which will fall out as you can guarantee it won't be the ones with the cavities!
I think I'd want to get then sorted rather than leave them as obviously bad teeth won't get better.

 

[Foogirl]

Fixing cavities in milk teeth? Do they do that? Also, if she is getting cavities in milk teeth, I'd be more concerned about why it's happening. Assuming you are keeping on top of oral hygiene, which seems likely if you are taking her to the dentis, have you had her checked for a calcium deficiency. I'd also be questioning why he is the only dentist in the city who does it. It can't hurt to get a second opinion and find out why other dentists don't do it. Even in our small town we have several dental practices, who refer to other places if they don't do a specific treatment. I'd be very wary of any dental treatment in a five year old that requires a general anaesthetic.

Also, if she already doesn't like the dentist, unless is is absolutely necessary to treat any cavities I.e if they aren't causing any pain, invasive dental treatment isn't going to help her fear.

 

[jd83]

If they haven't fallen out by the time of her appointment, yes, I'd get them fixed. Cavities will only keep getting larger, which could get painful for you lo if they get too deep into her teeth, and also run the risk of the cavities affecting nearby teeth. It may seem a waste since those teeth are just going to fall out, but you have no way of knowing how long she is going to have those teeth before they fall out.

 

[mumnbean]

Hi mommymakaylA,
I'm an Australian dentist.
Sounds like standard protocol for a five year old needing fillings. They do most work under a ga to avoid future dental phobia. The sooner the better as cavities will only get bigger and more likely to cause infection and pain which can affect the adult teeth below. Before 6 is ideal as the first new adult teeth tend to come through around then. You want the bugs that cause decay removed before they come through And spread cavities in the new teeth too.

You can let your hubby know that the only teeth your 5yo is likely to lose are the lower front ones in the middle around age 6

 

[CandyDay]

My son had a cavity that he had filled. It was in a molar and those don't fall out till around 10years old. So it needs to be dealt with or it would just get worse and affect his other teeth around it. If it was a front tooth then they wouldn't have filled it as those start falling out at around 6 years old. He has a hard time sitting still but he let them in his mouth while they checked for cavities and cleaned his teeth. Because of how wiggly he was when they were just looking and cleaning he had to be given drugs to make him sleepy so that he wouldn't move around too much while they filled it as that would make it worse.
Because your LO wouldn't let them even get close that is why they want to put her under. They don't want to have her wiggling and squirming and fighting them while they do it.

 

[shamrockerjo]

I would also be concerned about why she is getting so many cavities at such a young age so I would want that looked into thoroughly. The thought of general anaesthetic scares me so I really would not be happy about that however I know it's bad to leave cavities untreated so that's a tough one.. But I would definitely get a second opinion!! My husband's dentist (NHS) was happy to refer him to a specialist at the hospital after he couldn't pull a wisdom tooth out and instead it broke, at the hospital they would have put hubby under GA and apparently cut out the gum around the tooth as that's the easiest way to get it out. Hubby also would have had to wait 6 months for the appointment (with a broken tooth in his mouth!!).. So instead he went to see a private dentist for a second opinion and surprise surprise, the dentist pulled out the remaining tooth in less than 5 mins, no problems at all and no surgery involved. Also, I think if I were you I would start talking with your daughter about the importance of healthy teeth and about how when she goes to see a dentist she absolutely must sit still and let the dentist do what needs to be done. Play dentist games at home, maybe even get some dental equipment (like the mirror and the sharp scrapey pokey thing.. Excuse the lack of official names!) so she will learn in a fun way and will know what to expect.

 

[WW1]

My daughter had to have a tooth removed at 18 months (she broke it on her cot and as she has a hole in the heart the risk if infection was high). Due to her age they did it with a general anaesthetic as keeping a child still for significant dental work is unlikely to happen without causing significant distress for the child.

The mouth is the part of the body most at risk of allowing infection into the body. Cavities and decay increase this risk so in my opinion you can't leave it until the teeth fall out. Not only might the cavities start to cause pain, the risk of blood infections rises (such as endocarditis). Getting a second opinion certainly won't hurt but I think doing nothing will do more harm than good.

I also agree with others about trying to ascertain the cause of the cavities as it'll be important to rectify it before the adult teeth come through. Good luck!

 

[Foogirl]

I would also be concerned about why she is getting so many cavities at such a young age so I would want that looked into thoroughly. The thought of general anaesthetic scares me so I really would not be happy about that however I know it's bad to leave cavities untreated so that's a tough one.. But I would definitely get a second opinion!! My husband's dentist (NHS) was happy to refer him to a specialist at the hospital after he couldn't pull a wisdom tooth out and instead it broke, at the hospital they would have put hubby under GA and apparently cut out the gum around the tooth as that's the easiest way to get it out. Hubby also would have had to wait 6 months for the appointment (with a broken tooth in his mouth!!).. So instead he went to see a private dentist for a second opinion and surprise surprise, the dentist pulled out the remaining tooth in less than 5 mins, no problems at all and no surgery involved. Also, I think if I were you I would start talking with your daughter about the importance of healthy teeth and about how when she goes to see a dentist she absolutely must sit still and let the dentist do what needs to be done. Play dentist games at home, maybe even get some dental equipment (like the mirror and the sharp scrapey pokey thing.. Excuse the lack of official names!) so she will learn in a fun way and will know what to expect.

I had the opposite experience. My dentist said he wouldn't pull a tooth because the roots were scary. He kept pushing for a root canal which I really didn't want. He sent me to a specialist who deals with sedation but she was adamant the tooth would come put no problem. What followed was the worst dental experience of my life with her eventually having to cut the gum and break the tooth to get it out. Years later I still shudder when I think about it!