Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 7/13/2006

Question
My four year old daughter has two cavaties in her front top teeth.... the Dentist wants to pull these two teeth because of "root resorption". This will leave my child toothless for atleast a year or more. She very seldom complains of the tenderness in her front teeth. But this dentist insists we have this done right away. My husband and I are very skeptical about having a four year old teeth extracted. What should we do? Please help.  

Answer
THis all depends on how much resorption. Roots resorb naturally as the permanent teeth come in. I do not understand his insistance on this and cannot really comment without seeing her in person along with some xrays. Here is what you really need to do: get a second opinion. See what a second dentist says. Make sure the dentist knows that these teeth do not bother her at all. Here is a key question to ask: "if this was your daughter, what would you do?" always good to see how a person answers this one. Make that call for a second opinion. good luck,

Jeff Dalin, DDS