You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- Dentistry
- Dentistry
- Tooth extraction for an 8 year old
Dentistry/Tooth extraction for an 8 year old
Advertisement
Question
Dr. Moss,
This may seem silly as it is after the fact, but I would like to get an opinion if I should bring this issue to the attention of the dentist. My 8 year old daughter had an extra tooth (lateral incisor) that needed to be pulled before starting with braces. She experienced quite a bit of pain during the procedure, to the point she was nearly hysterical for about an hour after. I was so overwhelmed with trying to comfort her that I did not have a chance to address this at the time, but now it is really bothering me. Our dentist's office does not allow parents to accompany their children so I don't have a firsthand account. But I trust my daughters story and reaction. She is now afraid of the upcoming orthodontia work that needs to be done - with good reason I would say.
So I guess my question is - is this within the normal range? I tried to prep her as much as I could by telling her that she would receive some shots in her gums to numb the tooth and then would feel pressure during the extraction, but that it shouldn't start to hurt until the novocaine wore off. I don't want to seem like one of "those" parents, but I feel a need to advocate for my daughter.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Dear Debbie,
except for the memory and the fear of returning to the dentist , I assume that presently there is no pain and the extraction is healing normally.
If that is the case I would choose what you think to be an appropriate time and have a discussion with the dentist to determine what happened.
Pediatric dentists do see the kind of reaction you describe, on occasion.
Talking about a problem is better than letting it fester and grow in your mind.
I expect that after some time your daughter will regain her confidence, but her disquiet and yours is something the dentist should know about.
All the best,
Dr. Moss
Related Articles
- Dental Fears and Phobias- Why Are You Afraid of the Dentist and Dental Treatment
- Dental Fears and Phobias- Why Are You Afraid of the Dentist and Dental Treatment
- Dental Fears and Phobias- Why Are You Afraid of the Dentist and Dental Treatment
- Dentist - Why Do You Love Your Dentist
- Dental Fears and Phobias- Why Are You Afraid of the Dentist and Dental Treatment
Answers by Expert:
- Joel S. Teig, DMD, Diplomate ABOMS, retired
- Dr. Randolph Myerson
- Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD
- Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO
- Tony Appleton BDS DPDS
- Rafael Mosery,D.D.S.
- Jeff Dalin DDS
- Luis Granados DDS MS ESP.
- Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.
- Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD
- Stephen J. Moss
- Crystal Baxter DMD< MDS
- Lawrence Spindel DDS, www.lspindeldds.com
- Dr Craig Peck ( B.Med.Sc., B.Ch.D., M.Sc., Clin. Botox, Cosmet. Derm.)
- Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD
- Susan Tannenbam
- Joseph Zelig, DDS, D.ABP www.smileinthecity.com
- Dr.Mike Glasmeier
- Larry Burnett DDS
- Ketan Amin, DMD
- Dr. Madhvendra T. Singh
- Simarjit kalra
- dr mayank kaurani BDS, MDS
- Mohamed Elsafi, DDS, MS, FACP
- Lawrence Gold
- Veselin Shumantov DDS
Stephen J. Moss
Expertise
I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.
Experience
Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.
Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center
Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India
Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.