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Sedation and dental work for toddler



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 3rd 03, 09:52 PM
Jeannie
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some developing
cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and says it should only take
10-20 minutes.

He has given 2 options: 1. sedation with Versed (generic name - midazolam
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY149.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202372.html), or 2. cry it out
for 10-20 minutes. From what info I have found on midazolam, it seems to be
relatively safe and widely used for children. The greatest risk seems to be
possible overdose, which can cause depressed (or arrested) breathing and heart
rate, but, it appears that the drug wears off quickly, and it can be countered
with assisted breathing. The info sheet that the dentist gave me said that
children may have diverse reactions after the drug begins to wear off, either
silliness/laughter or crankiness. Disorientation, dizziness are other
post-procedure side-effects.

I'm still somewhat undecided on which way to go. I'm leaning toward drug-less
cry-it-out. I found some information that showed that children might actually
have a worse time in post-surgery recovery, behaviorally, if they *don't* receive
sedation (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/c...e.op.seds.html). But,
full-blown surgery with general anesthesia seems to be quite different from taking
20 minutes to apply dental fillings.

Can anyone give any personal experiences regarding their young children and
midazolam (or any other sedative) or just allowing them to cry-it-out with regard
to dental procedures? How were your pre- and post-procedure experiences?

I do plan on asking the dentist for more information, regarding dosage and
preparedness for adverse reactions. Are there any other questions that you might
suggest?

Thanks a bunch.
--
Jeannie
E-mail: jeannie at talisweb dot see oh em
Web: http://www.moonflour.com



  #2  
Old August 3rd 03, 10:44 PM
Babs
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

"Jeannie" wrote in message
...
My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some developing
cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and says it should

only take
10-20 minutes.

He has given 2 options: 1. sedation with Versed (generic name - midazolam
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY149.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202372.html), or 2. cry

it out
for 10-20 minutes.

snip

I don't have any info about the medication, but I'm wondering if 19 months
of age isn't a bit too young for the cry it out option?
DS is nearly 17 months, and will go with us to our next dental appointment,
which will be his first, so I don't have any first hand experience.
The reason I'm wondering if 19 month old isn't too young, is that it seems
difficult to me to explain what is going to happen and why it needs to be
done. I doesn't seem realistic to me to expect a child that age to sit
still in the chair while the cavities are being filled.
Another reason I'm not sure about the cry it out option is my own personal
experience as a child. In The Netherlands we have schooldentists. And
although I hear they are really good with children these days, that
certainly wasn't the case when I was a toddler. I'll spare you the
horrorstory, but suffice it to say the treatment without any sedation made
me so scared of dentists, I still need sedation just to have my teeth
checked. Agreed, I was 4 years and not 19 months when I had my first cavity
filled, and I don't have any recollection of my life when I was 19 months.
Ofcourse YMMV, and I mean in no way to criticise (sp?) anyone, but to me 19
months seems too young for the cry it out option.

Babs
proud mama to Nick (03/05/2002)

--
Got the swing, got the sway, got my straw in lemonade
http://www.babsje.nl


  #3  
Old August 4th 03, 12:21 AM
Laura Faussone
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler



Jeannie wrote:


Can anyone give any personal experiences regarding their young children and
midazolam (or any other sedative) or just allowing them to cry-it-out with regard
to dental procedures? How were your pre- and post-procedure experiences?


I'd recommend sedation, otherwise they'll probably have to strap her to a papoose
board or otherwise restrain her while they're drilling. My 3yo was really freaking
out at the drill when her sedation didn't "take".

Laura


  #4  
Old August 4th 03, 01:16 AM
Leigh Menconi
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

My daughter recently underwent a sedated echocardiogram and a sedated heart
catheterization. For the echo, she was given chloralhydrate mixed with
benadryl and it was a horrible experience. She seemed to have a contrary
reaction to the chloralhydrate which she'd had before but they wouldn't
listen when I told them that it didn't work well on her (seems to make her
hyper instead of sleepy).

For the catheterization, they gave her versed prior to going into the OR to
put her out so they could hook her up to the IV, etc, after she was already
out. The versed was a *much* better experience. My daughter's had lots of
"procedures" over the years (she's 4 now) because she has lots of health
problems and I will definitely ask for versed again if she needs light
sedation.

Leigh in raLeigh

"Jeannie" wrote in message
...
My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some developing
cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and says it should only

take
10-20 minutes.

He has given 2 options: 1. sedation with Versed (generic name - midazolam
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY149.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202372.html), or 2. cry

it out
for 10-20 minutes. From what info I have found on midazolam, it seems to

be
relatively safe and widely used for children. The greatest risk seems to

be
possible overdose, which can cause depressed (or arrested) breathing and

heart
rate, but, it appears that the drug wears off quickly, and it can be

countered
with assisted breathing. The info sheet that the dentist gave me said

that
children may have diverse reactions after the drug begins to wear off,

either
silliness/laughter or crankiness. Disorientation, dizziness are other
post-procedure side-effects.

I'm still somewhat undecided on which way to go. I'm leaning toward

drug-less
cry-it-out. I found some information that showed that children might

actually
have a worse time in post-surgery recovery, behaviorally, if they *don't*

receive
sedation (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/c...e.op.seds.html).

But,
full-blown surgery with general anesthesia seems to be quite different

from taking
20 minutes to apply dental fillings.

Can anyone give any personal experiences regarding their young children

and
midazolam (or any other sedative) or just allowing them to cry-it-out with

regard
to dental procedures? How were your pre- and post-procedure experiences?

I do plan on asking the dentist for more information, regarding dosage and
preparedness for adverse reactions. Are there any other questions that

you might
suggest?

Thanks a bunch.
--
Jeannie
E-mail: jeannie at talisweb dot see oh em
Web: http://www.moonflour.com





  #5  
Old August 4th 03, 01:58 AM
Sue
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

My daughter has had Versed so many times I can't even count anymore. No
problems whatsoever. I happen to like the drug because it makes them forget
what is happening to them. I personally would never put a child, especially
one that young through a procedure like that without sedation. I know it is
just fillings, but for one thing, she won't sit still long enough for the
dentist to do what he needs to do and if she is crying so bad, then he
really won't be able to do the work quickly. Have you never had a cavity
filled? They have to use the drill, which could be extremely scary for a
child that age. I'm sorry, but letting her cry it out just sounds horrible
to me.
--
Sue
mom to three girls

Jeannie wrote in message
...
My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some developing
cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and says it should only

take
10-20 minutes.

He has given 2 options: 1. sedation with Versed (generic name - midazolam
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY149.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202372.html), or 2. cry

it out
for 10-20 minutes. From what info I have found on midazolam, it seems to

be
relatively safe and widely used for children. The greatest risk seems to

be
possible overdose, which can cause depressed (or arrested) breathing and

heart
rate, but, it appears that the drug wears off quickly, and it can be

countered
with assisted breathing. The info sheet that the dentist gave me said

that
children may have diverse reactions after the drug begins to wear off,

either
silliness/laughter or crankiness. Disorientation, dizziness are other
post-procedure side-effects.

I'm still somewhat undecided on which way to go. I'm leaning toward

drug-less
cry-it-out. I found some information that showed that children might

actually
have a worse time in post-surgery recovery, behaviorally, if they *don't*

receive
sedation (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/c...e.op.seds.html).

But,
full-blown surgery with general anesthesia seems to be quite different

from taking
20 minutes to apply dental fillings.

Can anyone give any personal experiences regarding their young children

and
midazolam (or any other sedative) or just allowing them to cry-it-out with

regard
to dental procedures? How were your pre- and post-procedure experiences?

I do plan on asking the dentist for more information, regarding dosage and
preparedness for adverse reactions. Are there any other questions that

you might
suggest?

Thanks a bunch.
--
Jeannie
E-mail: jeannie at talisweb dot see oh em
Web: http://www.moonflour.com





  #6  
Old August 4th 03, 04:18 AM
iphigenia
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

Jeannie wrote:
My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some
developing cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and
says it should only take 10-20 minutes.


Hm. My son had dental work done in June, when he was 23 months. He had 2
fillings, a root canal, and three crowns. His was done under general
anesthesia (the pediodontist will not use chloral hydrate until they're
close to 3 years; DS has actually had chloral hydrate for a sedated echo,
but that was done at a children's hospital).

Frankly, I cannot even imagine allowing a toddler to be strapped down to a
board and terrified by the restraints and the noise and smell of the
drilling being done by a stranger without parents present, without SOME
sedation.

--
iphigenia
www.tristyn.net
"i have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
i do not think that they will sing to me."


  #7  
Old August 4th 03, 03:58 PM
E
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler


"E" wrote in message
...
"Jeannie" wrote in message
...
My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some

developing
cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and says it should

only
take
10-20 minutes.

He has given 2 options: 1. sedation with Versed (generic name -

midazolam
http://www.fpnotebook.com/PSY149.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202372.html), or 2.

cry
it out
for 10-20 minutes. From what info I have found on midazolam, it seems

to
be
relatively safe and widely used for children. The greatest risk seems

to
be
possible overdose, which can cause depressed (or arrested) breathing and

heart
rate, but, it appears that the drug wears off quickly, and it can be

countered
with assisted breathing. The info sheet that the dentist gave me said

that
children may have diverse reactions after the drug begins to wear off,

either
silliness/laughter or crankiness. Disorientation, dizziness are other
post-procedure side-effects.

I'm still somewhat undecided on which way to go. I'm leaning toward

drug-less
cry-it-out. I found some information that showed that children might

actually
have a worse time in post-surgery recovery, behaviorally, if they

*don't*
receive
sedation (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/c...e.op.seds.html).

But,
full-blown surgery with general anesthesia seems to be quite different

from taking
20 minutes to apply dental fillings.

Can anyone give any personal experiences regarding their young children

and
midazolam (or any other sedative) or just allowing them to cry-it-out

with
regard
to dental procedures? How were your pre- and post-procedure

experiences?

I do plan on asking the dentist for more information, regarding dosage

and
preparedness for adverse reactions. Are there any other questions that

you might
suggest?

Thanks a bunch.
--
Jeannie
E-mail: jeannie at talisweb dot see oh em
Web: http://www.moonflour.com



as a child, it seemed like I had quite a few cavities. they were usually
small, so I had the work done without any Novocain. it was only once I
became a teenager and they got BIG that I had any. I still (42 yo) prefer
to do it without numbing. I think of it as more of a "zing" than actual
pain. my lip and tongue aren't numb when I leave, so I can eat and drink
and talk just fine.
of course, I think most of this was as a child, not a toddler. I could be
reasoned with much better. I vaguely remember getting a lolli-pop after

it
was over, too

Edith
one experience I had as an adult a few years ago - dentist was drilling to
replace a filling, went just a little too far OUCH!! he hit the nerve.

it
only REALLY HURT when the drill went through. he dripped the Novocain

into
the hole and he continued on to do a root canal. that was the best one

I've
EVER had! numbness in the only place that needed it.

good luck with whatever you do!



after reading other posts, I have to add on to mine. I think that that age
is too young to do it without some sedation. however, it was the needle
that still bothers me more than the drill. make sure the place the needle
goes in is somewhat numb from a local before he is "shot"
Edith


  #8  
Old August 4th 03, 04:38 PM
Welches
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler


Jeannie wrote in message
...
My 19 month-old daughter needs dental work done. She has some developing
cavities. The dentist wants to make some fillings and says it should only

take
10-20 minutes.

Until I was adult I'd only had dental work done under general (extractions).
I never had a problem with going to the dentist. About 4 years ago I had to
have a couple of fillings and only had a local. Since then I've dreaded
going to the dentist, although I've had little treatment. Personally I'd
think 19 months was was to old to let them cry it out, and I'd suspect you
could give them a fear of dentists for life. If it's their choice it's
different, and you can't even explain totally to them at that age. DD (2
3/4) has just had an injection. The next 2 or 3 times we went past the drs.
she said "don't want another ouch", and she didn't seem to mind it at the
time-she didn't cry or object. All I'd say is make sure you're there when
they put her under and when she comes out.
Debbie


  #9  
Old August 4th 03, 07:11 PM
Wendy Marsden
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

My three year old son needed quite a lot of dental work done: an abscessed
tooth pulled and five caviities filled. We gave him versed before the
oral surgery and it worked well, but freaked me out. He got slack-faced,
his words started to mumble and he was clearly drugged. My Mommy-alarms
were going off even though I knew that was the intended result.

As for the cavities, though, we started going to a pediatric dentist who
distracts the kids and keeps themn calm. Sammy still hasn't had any of
those cavities filled though so I'm not sure yet how it will turn
out. (The dentist saw us for the initial exam, a cleaning and scheduled
us for October.)

My big question is how come this kid's teeth are so bad. He was 100%
breastfed until six months (and not fully weaned until 18 months). We
brush his teeth every day, give him flouride pills and he doesn't eat much
candy and never drinks soda and rarely drinks juice. (His dental problems
are all back teeth, this isn't baby bottle mouth.)

He's a third kid and the other two have 22 years of kid-dom and one cavity
between them. Yet the dentist just acts like I'm some sort of
abusive/neglectful mom because (okay, I admit it) I haven't flossed the
kids teeth. (Note that his teeth are not close-set together - floss
doesn't catch anything.) Furthermore, he has had regular dental care
since the age of 2. The cavities all came at the same time.

Wendy, who flosses his teeth NOW.


  #10  
Old August 8th 03, 06:14 PM
Fern5827
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Sedation and dental work for toddler

Wendy, I do not wish to alarm you, but note that DSS, CPS has dentists as a
class of mandated reporters.

You may find yourself visited by an inquiring cw from DSS.

Apparently, such instances have happened. For example, children born with OI
(osteogenesis imperfecta) have been spirited away from families for months, and
have broken bones additionally within foster care.

Hope not to yours.

Yet the dentist just acts like I'm some sort of
abusive/neglectful mom because (okay, I admit it) I haven't flossed the
kids teeth. (Note that his teeth are not close-set together - floss
doesn't catch anything.) Furthermore, he has had regular dental care
since the age of 2. The cavities all came at the same time.


http://www.syc.org NH Website for good parents harassed by DCYF, DHS, etc.

Newsgroup alt support child protective services.


Wendy related:


Subject: Sedation and dental work for toddler
From: Wendy Marsden
Date: 8/4/2003 2:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id:

My three year old son needed quite a lot of dental work done: an abscessed
tooth pulled and five caviities filled. We gave him versed before the
oral surgery and it worked well, but freaked me out. He got slack-faced,
his words started to mumble and he was clearly drugged. My Mommy-alarms
were going off even though I knew that was the intended result.

As for the cavities, though, we started going to a pediatric dentist who
distracts the kids and keeps themn calm. Sammy still hasn't had any of
those cavities filled though so I'm not sure yet how it will turn
out. (The dentist saw us for the initial exam, a cleaning and scheduled
us for October.)

My big question is how come this kid's teeth are so bad. He was 100%
breastfed until six months (and not fully weaned until 18 months). We
brush his teeth every day, give him flouride pills and he doesn't eat much
candy and never drinks soda and rarely drinks juice. (His dental problems
are all back teeth, this isn't baby bottle mouth.)

He's a third kid and the other two have 22 years of kid-dom and one cavity
between them. Yet the dentist just acts like I'm some sort of
abusive/neglectful mom because (okay, I admit it) I haven't flossed the
kids teeth. (Note that his teeth are not close-set together - floss
doesn't catch anything.) Furthermore, he has had regular dental care
since the age of 2. The cavities all came at the same time.

Wendy, who flosses his teeth NOW.









Fat kids--next target of DCF's inquiries.


 




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