The dental visit

[newmothermary]

Devon had her teeth checked out by a dentist last week. It seems she has some small cavities (yikes!) but to really tell she'd need xrays. This dentist suggest a place where they would do sedation for the xrays since she may move. Devon is moderately low toned, dev delayed and is non-verbal.

Is this typically done? This was our first dental visit so I didn't quite know what to expect. I want to avoid unnecessary sedation. *If* however they are a must, then its a must. I don't want it to be an automatic that just because Devon has sn, boom she gets anesthesia. I offered to hold her but the last dentist (she was just lovely, really nice) did not want to subject me to the radiation.
We found a place where they do sedations but anesthesia is not covered by insurance. (?)

I love to hear your experiences.

TIA

P.S. Devon has been sticking her finger in her mouth in a manner that lets us think there's something that is bothering her. My boo.

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[2lilsweetfoxes]

My experience is that I can find dentists that do 2 out of 3. I believe it best for my son to be fully sedated. Our insurance covers it if done in a hospital. I've found several dentists that will go to the hospital to perform the procedure (he needs fillings--about 4-8, may change once we get the x-rays back). I want him (no flames, no discussion. I've made up my mind.) to get amalgam fillings. No way on God's green earth we can afford 8+ composite fillings. Insurance covers amalgam, but not composite. At all. Not just not cover the difference. Absolutely will not pay. Composite is about $200 per tooth here. I cannot afford that and I'm not going to make him go back 8 times over a 16 month or so period. I'm also not going to wait a year or more to get the money to pay out of pocket and then he needs more work done. *If you are going to say "oh, amalgam is so bad, I'd move heaven and earth to ensure my kid got composite and you should too, feel free to pay for the composites fore me. Just tell me where to have them send the bill. * Oh, and take our insurance. See previous rant on that. I've found several dentists on our insurance that will either put him under or will do amalgam, but not both.

[Linda on the move]

Is it possible to arrange to have the teeth repaired at the same time they do the x-rays? Most small children in the US are sedated for fillings, even if they can handle the x-rays, so it seems to me that sedation *may* be in her future anyway. Why not try to get everything done at once and just get it over with?

(As as far as the "is this normal" question, I think it really varies from child to child. My sn child is very calm and has always been easier for dentist to deal with than my neuro typical child).

Good luck! Dental stuff is NO FUN!