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01-04-2011, 05:50 AM
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3 posts, read 41,255 times
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We just learned that my 4 year old son has an abcessed tooth that can no longer be saved. We were advised by one dentist to have it removed, and by another one to simply open it for the abcess to drain and then wait until it falls out on its own in 6 years.
The advantage of extracting the tooth, I guess, is that there will no longer be a risk of another infection. The disatvantage is that the narrowing of this space may affect the normal eruption of the permanent teeth to come, with the subsequent need to have them straightened.
Any advice on whether we should have the tooth removed or not?
Thank you so much and greetings from Holland,
Ayla
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01-04-2011, 05:55 AM
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Location: Texas
44,257 posts, read 56,927,724 times
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Can't they extract it and then leave a spacer in to keep other teeth from moving into the spot?
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01-04-2011, 07:11 AM
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3 posts, read 41,255 times
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I guess they could put in a spacer, but I feel that may be too much trauma for a 4 year old!
I am not sure?!
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01-04-2011, 09:32 AM
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Location: In a house
13,253 posts, read 39,199,677 times
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A dental spacer would probably be less trauma than the tooth extraction itself. It's a 4-year-old - no matter what you do, it'll be traumatic at the moment. Definitely ask the dentist about space maintainers, it's a pretty common thing for kids who lose their baby teeth early (for whatever reason). You're gonna want to move on that abscess asap though, no matter which you choose to do.
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01-04-2011, 10:13 AM
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3 posts, read 41,255 times
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Thank you guys! It seems we are now leaning more towards the extraction, still worried about the space. However, I just learned that in case of a primary first molar (which is my son's damaged tooth), a space maintainer may not be necessary. Is this true? Anyone have any advice on this?
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01-04-2011, 02:47 PM
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Location: Mostly in my head
19,864 posts, read 60,060,743 times
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Just make sure he is knocked out for the procedure. Laughing gas or whatever they use for conscious sedation. Just a local shot will traumatise him even more!
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01-06-2011, 11:08 AM
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Location: Indianapolis, IN
914 posts, read 4,167,084 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ayla-Holland
Thank you guys! It seems we are now leaning more towards the extraction, still worried about the space. However, I just learned that in case of a primary first molar (which is my son's damaged tooth), a space maintainer may not be necessary. Is this true? Anyone have any advice on this?
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I would probably go with the dentist's advice on whether or not the spacer is needed. To be honest, you could make the most careful decisions in the world for your child and still end up with a kid with messed up teeth. I'd definitely go with a decision you are comfortable with, you could even get a second opinion, but there probably isn't a fool proof right or wrong answer. |
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