Re: Anesthesia questions - 3 yr. old probably needs den...

[Guest guest]

Hi-

I just read your question and called my dad who is an 85 year old retired

Dentist with DMD and DDS Degrees.... (Doctor of Dental Medicine and Doctor

of Dental Surgery). My dad has been retired for many years--- but I asked

his advice on this. (My dad is a totally " with it " older man-- he often

has great advice on medical matters).

He told me that he always referred young children to what is called a

" Pedodontist " .... someone who specializes in the treatment and anesthesia of

young kids. My dad said that any form of a " General Anesthetic " can be

dangerous for young children...... and it is better to use sedation that

promotes what is called a " twilight sleep " .... meaning that the child is

sedated, but not completely out.

My dad retired 20 years ago..... so things may have changed since then.....

he said that Pedodontists always started with a drug called Seconal- which

is a SHORT acting Barbituate..... this would relax the child-- often the

entire dental procedure could be completed with this. If the child was not

sedated enough, Chloral Hydrate was used as a secondary measure.

I asked about the B12 connection with Chloral Hydrate- my dad said that in

his day, he never heard of anything about that.... but he did say that a

Pedodontist may have new knowledge of this. My dad kept asking me to

provide him with more info about the level of your child's decay/problems.....

because the type and amount of decay will affect the time needed to repair the

issues. It was hard for him to give advice without knowing what the

issues were.

I am not online much-- but will try to help if I can. Can you give more

info about the dental issues?

Take care-

.... mom of a 3 year 2 month old son with Apraxia and Hypotonia....

our kids are close in age!