Dentist Issues

It sounds like you need to go to a pediatric dentist. They specialize in kids. My son was 6 and they gave him some "juice" that he took an hour before and he was so relaxed he didn't care what the dentist did to him. He won't need to be put to sleep. A regular dentist doesn't have the training or knowledge for kids that a pediatric dentist would. The last thing you want to do is traumatize your son, but it sounds like that has already happened. My son went back for a cleaning a couple weeks ago and ran right up and sat in the chair like it was nothing. Good luck!

My little autistic sister was the same way! No matter how much meds they gave her to calm down and let him work, she somehow fought through it! How on earth can a child be so strong?! Yes, there are plenty of dentists that will put them under. It was better for her....better recovery, atleast. She had her first down at age 5, and to this day still (she's 18 now).

Be sure you have a pediatric dental specialist. I used to work for one.
Some kids never flinch, some kids needed some sedation and others needed to be put under all together.
I know many parents don't like the last idea, but seriously, it's far less traumatizing to them to sleep through the whole thing. What can take over and hour with a freaked out nervous child, can take 20 minutes with a child who is in twilight happy land.
I'm always surprised at how many moms want another opinion because they don't want their child being "put under". Having worked in a pediatric dental specialist's office, sometimes there is no other way.
I think it's for the best and I've never known of a child who had any complications from just getting it over with.
The parents are a nervous wreck either way....their baby is knocked out OR they get to listen to the sreaming. Some kids freak at the sound of the aspirator...the thing that just sucks up spit. It's not a drill or painful, but they freak out.
Find a pediatric dental specialist in your area or get a referral to one.

Best wishes

find a pediatric dentist who also does special needs children. It will be a hassle to find but in the long run it will so be worth it. you don't want one who will jsut drug your kid. there are better ways to do it.

My grandson, who has serious behavioral issues has been to 3 dentists. The first one was a general dentist and they were soooo smooth working with him while they cleaned his teeth and diagnosed his cavities that he didn't want to leave. They referred him to a pediatric dentist because he needed a root canal and crown.

This pediatric dentist was awful. She paid no attention to my grandson as she talked with me. My grandson was bored and agitated thru out the appointment. He kept asking to leave.

I called the pediatric dentist which had seen him a couple of years earlier. We didn't go back to him because his office was further away. This dentist said that he rarely had to use anesthesia and to bring him in. This dentist did all of the work using the usual methods in 5 appointments. No anesthesia. My grandson liked to go. The office had a couple of computer game toys and rats to keep the kids attention while they waited.

The dentist did break up the amount of time they spent with him sitting in the chair by working him around other patients. Staff knew just what to say and how to treat this ADHD,kid with other developmental difficulties. I was amazed! I'm pretty sure they gave him something like Valium once he was in the office. (His mother made the specific arrangements.) And my grandson did get cranky towards the end of his last 2 appointments. They did not force him to do anything. They gave him more breaks. And we all heaved a sigh of relief. This dentist will continue to take care of the dental needs of my grandchildren!

I'm surprised that your son's dentist persisted in treating your son while he continued to fight. Why not take a break? I would definitely find a pediatric dentist who truly understands children and has devised successful ways of handling a child who has to have repeated appointments.

I suggest that since your son has had such a horrendous experience that twilight anesthetic may be the way to go. I've had general anesthetic and major surgery several times and was definitely against the use of general anesthetic. I've also had twilight anesthetic a couple of times and am comfortable with giving that to a child. One time that I had the twilight anesthetic I was aware of what was going on around me. I felt totally relaxed and tried to talk with the doctors. I couldn't understand why they weren't talking to me but didn't get irritated which would be my normal response. lol

Definitely find another more child oriented dentist for the rest of the work. Perhaps wait awhile before starting over to give him time to cool off from the last experience.