Is sedation safe?

[Len]

I apologize first because I have a feeling this subject has been largely discussed here before, but I've been looking into the dental archives and didn't find anything concrete.....

Anyway, DS who is 5 1/2 will need some cavity work done and the pediatric dentist we took him to works mostly on awake-sedation.... I forgot to ask what type of drug would be given, I only know it's something they have to drink, on empty stomach, and it's supported by laughing gas once the child is being treated.

Everything sounded good enough, until I got to the small type where one of the "side effects" could be brain damage and that set me back....

I've also had laughing gas myself before, and it was definitely not a happy thing to do....

I'd appreciate any input and/or experiences/alternatives to this!!!

Simone? are you there? I don't know why but I remember you as smilemomma's "assistant"

[Len]

:
bump?

[simonee]

: oh amiga that just sucks! Does he have a lot of cavities? Does it look like he'll need pulpotomies/-ectomies (root canals)?

the sedative sounds like Versed, which is what A got at 2,5 yo. It made her druggy ("mama.... I feeeeeel goood" she said LOL) and took the edge of the treatment (about 20 minutes for one tooth), but I was not overly impressed, she still got pretty upset after a while. HOwever, she also forgot about almost all of it right afterward.

Smilemomma : usually prefers to choose between the sedative or the laughing gas (in the relatively few cases where essential oils and other calming strategies such as taking time don't work), with laughing gas indicated for children old enough to be able to deal with the cap on the nose. LG can be titered, i.e. you can adjust the dose while working, while the sedative is administered once based on the child's weight but not-adjustable if the kid turns out to react too strong or not enough.


So I wonder why your dentist doesn't just want to use the L gas. I've never had it myself, but your own experience makes me wonder if it wasn't titered correctly ~ did you get enough? Or are you just not much of a junkie?

Also, the best preparation may be preparation. Play dentist with him. And many children, including A, don't mind the drilling ("bee machine to break down the germs' house in the teeth" we called it) as much as the little unexpected things such as the water squirting in the mouth (the only memory A had was actually the dentist showing her the water squirter on her HAND), the heat lamp for drying the composite filling or the air blow thingie (that is the official term smilemomma uses. I know I know, maybe she really IS a quack ie: )

hth?

Wishing both of you luck

[Len]

: Simone!

Thanks for replying, reading from you made me happy

Diego has 4 cavities on each side : and 4 of them require "caps" while the others just filling. It sounds like he would have what you mentioned, and the dentist uses the laughing gas as "backup", and I get it clearer now with your explanation.....

The good thing is that Diego really liked that dentist (no wonder, his office is like a mini theme park ) on his 1st visit he got a nasal cup to "practice" how he would get the gas, and he didn't mind trying it and all.....

They also mentioned that kids often forget about the experience, because of the sedation....

So it looks like this is a "safe" option.... or probably we don't have a better one

Anyway, thanks for coming this way..... hope everyone is doing fine....

I have biiiig chisme for you... . it looks like we're heading south of the border for a visit with Lumita and we will try to catch a glimpse of Bono and the guys at SD!!!! It's too bad you are not there anymore

[simonee]

Is he going to do it all in one appt? That's going to be a long sit for you both, honey. Is it the molars, or the front teeth? Is he in pain? Poor little guy... Maybe he can wear his Maradona shirt and the dentist will get the hint about drugging him up good??? :LOL




And on the trip to loops!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOO trying not to be consumed by petty jealousy right now!!! Is mr Irish superhero going to get backstage passes? Holy guacamole, you will have fun together! That'll be the first actual meeting, right? Would this be the time then for me to tell you that she really looks like... uh.... this Just so you know :LOL

[Len]

:LOL on the Maradona shirt.... jejeje
They will make it in two 1 hr visits, and they make you arrive 1 hr before and give him his drink while we watch a movie so that the drug will take effect.... after that they decide on wheter to use the gas or not.... and it's all in the molars... he only complains when I brush his teeth (pain) but he's always done that anyway!

And about the : Mr. said he would get passes, but I'm trying not to get too exited.... oh I just want to meet Looops so badly and now in this circumstances it's too good to be true! Too bad I won't be able to have any tequila or enter the mosh pit, as I will be very pregnant by then!! I guess you haven't been to SD since you left? What about a short visit now?

[mamasan]

Elena, I've mentioned to you that Ethan also has cavities,right? and we were in your same boat now and...even worst....anyway this's a long story. pls,Give me a shout when you have time,I'll fill you in ...and hope to see you guys soon.
Chi

[simonee]

Oh my Chi, you're popping another one already? I just remember how hugely pregnant you were when I met you !!!!!!

[mamasan]

Hi simonee ...I think I'll stop after this one
When are you coming back to Vancouver??