"Seeking Info and Advice Regarding IV Sedation and 'Laughing' Gas"

For one filling, some dentist is going to get paid for IV sedation? Wow, how can I get into that racket?!? That's ridiculous.

Laughing gas would be more than sufficient. It doesn't cut off oxygen to the brain in the concentrations used to relax children. It doesn't even make them laugh --or fall asleep. It was when people were using it as a party drug that people would actually pass out.

IV sedation is not a racket that docs use to get paid. And if you want to get in on that "racket" go to college, dental school and complete a residency for a total of 10 years in higher education! Not trying to be rude but that kind of thought process just burns me. I watched how hard my husband and his fellow residents worked to be the top of their respective fields.

Any responsible, skilled pediatric dentist has been highly trained in it's use during their residency. Make sure you are using a pediatric dentist that has completed a specialty residency. Laughing gas does not cut off oxygen to the brain. it actually delivers a higher concentration of oxygen to the brain. And IV sedation is appropriate for young children who may not be compliant during treatment. The last thing the child or the doctor needs while trying to deliver care is a child who can't or won't be able to sit completely still for the procedure.

Talk with your dentist. Ask him/her the questions you may have. Get the pros and cons from him/her so that you feel confident with the plan of care they have for your child.

Hi! My daughter had to have her tooth pulled and a cavity fixed when she was 3 and they used the laughing gas. It isn't that strong and truly just relaxes them so they are not so scared. My daughter is usually very terrified of anything new but she handled it very well and thought it was cool that it came in different scents and got to take the nose piece home. It truly just sounds more terrifying than it really is, but it is understandable to have fears cause we are the mommies and that's are job. If your dentist is anything like mine then all will be ok.

My son has had the gas. He usually feels dizzy for a little while after. He saiys he feels naseous for like an hour afterwards.

I've had 2 kids that have had fillings done and both times the dentist used laughing gas. It's just for a short amount of time. My older one watched the movie they had playing and never had another thought about it. My youngest talked to the dentist the entire time they were doing the crown :) I think either option is worth it to get the tooth fixed though. My pedi dentist had said that they use a liquid or pill sedation (forgot which one) that we would have to come in an hour ahead of time if that was needed. You might check with your dentist and see if that is an option. I know this can be nerve wracking but it will be ok mom !

If your son sits very well I would go with the laughing gas - we used it as children if we ahd a cavity, and my children used it on occassion also. It is very simple and they are fine afterwards. IV sedation is pretty tough - and the child is not the same for awhile after - my daughter did not have a good experience with it - but it is good for a child that will not sit through the procedure.

My daughter has just had two cavities filled (she's 4 and had an addiction to craisins, oops) and we used the laughing gas. She didn't have any problem with it and she did just fine with the procedures. I was worried because she tends to get nervous but she was awesome, it helps too to have an amazing pediatric dentist. Hope yours is as caring and reassuring as ours! Good luck.

Go with the "laughing gas". There is no need for sedation for only one cavity. My childrens' pediatric dentist only sedates kids when they have substantial work to be done. Two of my children received "laughing gas" to have cavities filled and to have baby teeth pulled (due to injury). When they are really young they also gave a liquid medication orally 30 minutes or so before. I believe it was like valium or something.

Sedation will most likely scare your child more. Putting a needle in his arm is going to make him terrified of the dentist. And also some young children can have a pretty negative reaction to iv sedation and anesthia. They get confused and scared when they are coming to. My son through the worst tantrum ever when he was 2 1/2. He was trying to rip his iv out and everything. Just something to keep in mind.
Good Luck!!

My sister went through this same dilemma with her 3 year old (I believe he was a few months shy of turning 3 at the time). Since the dentist she was seeing would only fill the cavity if she agreed to sedate her son, she chose to find another dentist. Children's teeth are so small that often the cavity is removed very quickly (which is the hardest part- drilling out the decay). They were able to distract her son for the duration of the procedure, and did not sedate/gas. It was such a relief for my sister. I think it's always worth a shot to try the procedure without either sedation or use of nitrous. You might just be surprised by your son's ability to handle it like a big boy- 3 year olds are easily distracted! Good luck.

My son (6) and I just returned from the dentist ten minutes ago. He was given the oral sedation (he also did this 3 weeks ago for the other side). The first time he did not fall asleep, was just relaxed. He did cry a bit, and I was there to hold his hand, but he doesn't really remember it ( they also put demerol in the sleepy juice, which is about 2 tsps of drink).

Today he wasn't asleep at first, but did snooze through half the time in the chair. He did wake up and cry a bit, but it went very well.
I was told this experience would be way more stressful for the parent than the child, and I have found this to be very true. Very stressful for me, but not really for him, and he's a very upsettable guy.

I don't know much about the laughing gas or iv sedation, but maybe there are other options out there if you are not comfortable with the ones you were given. Good Luck!

Do the general anesthesia. It takes a few minutes, it's over, all done, no trauma, teeth are all better, no memories of drilling, the smell of the tooth as it's drilled away, the tugging around on the teeth, the having to sit still, it is traumatizing to a small child and I have taken my grandkids I am raising to a Pediatric dentist in OKC and will never take them anywhere else until he kicks us out saying they are too old. It's a lighter sedation, no tubes in the throat and other stuff we have as adults when we have surgery. My grandkids have had no problems and they are just extremely excited to go see Dr. Lee. After she had 4 fillings and a cap put on a broken tooth K just popped right up out of the bed and started wanting to run around and go play.

Hi, Renee:
Laughing gas would be more non invasive.
Both options affect the brain, that is why it is given.
The toddler will not sit through having the tooth fixed without
something. The toddler will not sit through being studk with
a needle.
Good luck. D.

I really think these are questions you need to put to your pediatrician or your dentist. There have been some studies that are concerning about sedating kids before the age of 4 and the risk of behavioral problems later in life (studies on both sides, I don't know what the answer is, but here is a link to the most recent one: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804165258....

What the answer for YOUR child is is best made by his medical team. From a child's perspective, I had 4 cavities filled at 4 years old without sedation and, believe, me, it was a traumatic experience I remember to this day. Get help from the professionals-- I don't think "us moms" are qualified to answer this one...

My son had the gas when he got his first cavity filled (he has had 2) because he was very nervous and afraid. Being relaxed for the procedure made him so comfortable that when he needed another filling a year later, he did it without any sedation and was totally fine!

My grandson had several dental issues and his pediatric dentist would only treat them under IV anesthesia. This dentist would not even use "laughing gas" because of my grandson's behavior. He needed 2 teeth capped and had 2-3 cavities. My grandson, tho 6, is very strong willed and has difficulty sitting still for any length of time. My daughter took him to a different pediatric dentist, that her co-worker recommended, and he completed all the work in 4 sessions using only local anesthesia. I took him to the last 2 sessions and was amazed at how they were able to gain his co-operation. They did have to take breaks and extra care in the way that they worked with him.

I believe that Dr. Pike is a leader in pediatric dental care. Their focus is on creating an atmosphere that is comfortable for the child so that there is no trauma. My grandchildren ask to go for their check ups. Although you live out of the area you might contact him to see if he knows of some way to find a dentist who does do work without general anesthesia. Dr. Pike also has a web site.

Allan R. Pike, DDS, MS
e-mail: ____@____.com

Are you going to a pediatric dentist? Sometimes the pediatric dentist offices/staff are so friendly and kid-oriented that they don't need to sedate at all, even for cavities. They know how to comfort and relax the child.

If you have no choice but to sedate, I would personally choose the nitrous oxide (laughing gas) because it is non-invasive. Sticking a needle into the child at this age could traumatize him, and there will be many more needle-sticks throughout his/her life as opposed to the use of an inhaled gas! But, regardless which route you choose, rest assured that the dentist and his staff have been properly trained to perform the procedures. If you are still unsure, maybe get a second opinion.

Good luck - it's hard to watch our babies go thru stuff like this!