Dental surgery on a 4-year-old? Advice please?

Question

My 4 yo has been recomended to have some dental work under general anesthesia at a local hospital instead of slowly at an office. First we've heard of this done this way. Also, want payment up front to then bill ins. co. Got estimate from ins, which was $600 less than what the doctor wants us to pay.

1. Second opinion? 2. Wait til teeth fall out? 3. Haggle on the price? (Insurance will pay us what it feels it's worth, so the extra is on us)

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I refer about one child to the specialist per year. The rest I manage in my own non-pediatric office. Those that I DO send, I fully expect will be candidates for hospital dentistry. If your child has loads of cavities, it may be better to just get it over with rather than try "behavior modification" at this early age. It would be a shame to set up a lifetime of dental fear because of bad memories from these early experiences.

Do NOT just wait for the teeth to fall out! You are risking infections and toothaches galour. A 4 year old has teeth in place (the molars) that are supposed to serve until age 10-12. There is no way that a decayed tooth will last more than a few months or a year in a child. You really have ot get this taken care of.

If you do seek second opinions, please consider carefully whether you want to use general anesthesia in a private office. Personally, as a dentist, I would not do it. General anesthesia on an adult for a brief procedure like a tooth extraction is one thing. General anesthesia for a small child for an extended procedure is totally different. No 4 year old child of MINE would EVER be put to sleep any place other than a hospital operating room where there is an anesthetist or anesthesiologist who will do NOTHING but monitor his or her condition throughout the entire procedure. Never ever.

Answer 2

First, I would get a couple more opinions from specialists first. Make sure they aren't aware you have seen any other doctors, sometimes these doctors stick together with opinions. Second, paying up front when you have insurance makes me suspicious. Why? Third, research this surgery; contact dental schools and ask about the surgery, don't give details, just say you are curious.

I am concerned about dental surgery on such a young child. Why is this necessary? What exactly are they trying to accomplish with surgery that can't be done some other less invasive way. Surgery is major, especially when it comes to children. If the person doing surgery has no experience with children, that is very dangerous. Children need special attention with regard to anesthesia, medication, etc.

Proceed with caution.

Answer 3

Well, I for one would definitely get a second or maybe third opinion. It seems rather drastic to subject a child to that when those baby teeth are going to fall out soon. I've heard of far too many dentists taking advantage of insurance claims by doing dental work on small children that's not necessary. IF your second and third opinions agree, doing the general at a local hospital is the ONLY way to go. I recently heard of a little girl that died because they put her under in the dentists office, she had troubles with the anesthesia and they didn't have the medical equipment to help her.

Answer 4

It's less dramatic on a child under general anesthesia and the dentist can work quicker. The procedure only takes about 30 minutes to an hour depending on procedure. If you can in early in the morning will be out by lunch time. Call around and see if there is a qualify pediatric dentist who will work with your insurance company better. This should be done at the hospital and most hospital will only require you to pay your deductible and copay, your dentist should bill the same. The hardest part is not letting the child have anything to eat or drink after midnight and when they first get up.

Answer 5

Get a second opinion NOW. Don't agree to anything. Dental surgery on a 4 year old is ONLY necessary if there are severe problems that make it difficult for the child to eat....

Answer 6

Well, If you wait til your child's baby teeth fall out. You are looking at many years of agony and maybe pain for you child, if he or she has cavities. When I first brought my son to the dentist, he was right around 4. He would not stay still and cried the entire time he was in the dentist chair. We tried three separate office visits before our next step.
I just think going to the hospital is too extreme. But then you don't mention what exactly they need to do for your child. My dentist gave me medication to give my son, 15 minutes before coming into the office. It calmed him down and the dentist was able to clean his teeth. He even filled a cavity. I was able to actually sit in the dentist chair with my son on my lap and he was great. It was a piece of cake! Once my son felt at ease with the dentist, we no longer needed the medication, nor did I have to sit with him. The medication was as mild as cough medicine! It did not knock him out. He was fully awake. It just calmed his fear and reaction to the situation. Ask you dentist about this.
I myself would try this before putting my child under any anesthesia. And I know it's a lot less expensive.
Good luck!

Answer 7

get a second opinion. that is the best way to see if other dentists think that this is necessary and go from there.

research the situation-- look on webmd.com & see if they have any information on his problem. researching can give you more knowledge to understand the situation & your childs needs versus a bad doctor.

if the second opinion says he needs this surgery, then i would suggest talking to the dentist on ways to get your insurance to cover the surgery. they can pull strings for you that you aren't aware of by writing letters & so forth. you have to do what is best for your child & false teeth will end up being a whole lot more costly!!!

Answer 8

Well this is exactly what happened to my 16 yr old cat. She was healthy too until this happened. Her gums turned white and she stopped eating. She sadly died after a few weeks. The vet gave us some medication for her so she could live a little longer but she's gonna pass away soon...... Im so sorry!!

Answer 9

the hospital is the best way to go. i would get a second opinion due to the insurance thing, and parents, just a bit of advice, get your children to the dentist young! if they are used to going to the dentist they will not be as traumatized when they have to go, plus by routine cleanings you can avoid alot of problems. people assume that "they are going to loose their teeth anyways so why take them to the dentist unless there is a problem"! I can tell you, My sister has medicaid on her children, yet has never taken them to the dentist, now her 4 year old has a mouthful of rotten teeth, is in pain and now has to be put under sedation so they can fix his teeth! absolutely unnecessary if she had taken him to the dentist for cleanings!!!

Answer 10

If his teeth are decayed you don't want him to suffer with pain or infection- haggle w the price- tell the md what the ins will pay- sometimes they will take what the ins. pays- that would be nice- D