Nitrous oxide for dentistry? Ds1 needs teeth pulled.

[Simon]

Ds1 needs 2 baby teeth pulled. The adult teeth are fully erupted and we've waited nearly a year for the baby teeth to fall out/get loose on their own. Recent consult with orthodontist and they think we should pull them. I love our dentist and they have excellent chair side manners, Ds1 knows them well, trusts them, and all the staff are great, but our dentist doesn't use/provide nitrous.

Ds1 is prone to anxiety and very, very sensitive to pain so I am wondering if I should take him someplace else that offers it. WWYD? Should I go elsewhere just so he can have nitrous?

[nfowife]

My DD is also quite anxious (as am I). I personally will not have work done without nitrous and when my daughter has had other work done it has made the experience so much less stressful. We both had to have fillings in October without (the dentist we saw at the time did not offer it; have since changed providers) and it was not a great experience for either of us.

I was thinking of switching providers before she had to have her filling done in October and ended up sticking with the dentist. Well, it wasn't a good experience and I really regret not finding someone who offered nitrous at the time. Because now she is even more anxious about the dentist and going forward it is going to be an uphill battle.

ETA: my insurance does not cover it and the cost is usually $40-$60.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I've never been to a dentist that uses nitrous oxide and neither have the kids. Ds1 had a tooth pulled but I think they just did topical and novacaine.

[Rainbows&Roses]

I've never been to a dentist that uses nitrous oxide and neither have the kids. Ds1 had a tooth pulled but I think they just did topical and novacaine.

same with us. DD had to have one pulled at age 8 for same reason as OP. She is a BIG baby about pain and is also very anxious and it was not a problem or bad experience whatsoever. In terms of the anxiety, it was better for her to be with a dentist/office she knew well.

[nfowife]

I was at a practice in October that didn't use it. Until I needed work done I didn't realize they didn't have the gas because I've never been to a dentist that DIDN'T have it. To me it's a standard of care, and so we have left that practice for one that does offer it.
I've heard they are going to start offering it for labor and delivery.... Already been in use for years in Europe. Sounds awesome to me!

[egoldber]

Ds1 is prone to anxiety and very, very sensitive to pain

In this case, I think it is WELL worth finding someone who will do nitrous. My younger DD had a tooth pulled recently and while it was not traumatic, it was quite painful for her and that was WITH nitrous.

ETA: Be prepared that it is kind of expensive and dental insurance often will not cover it.

[daniele_ut]

Our pediatric dentist uses nitrous and it's not terribly expensive. She had 2 teeth filled using nitrous and novacaine at her last appointment and the total was around $200 for everything. We don't have dental insurance.

[Simon]

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't considered that insurance wouldn't cover it but that makes sense. Sigh. I am so torn between thinking that it could go just fine, I had extractions as a kid without nitrous and it didn't bother me, but if it goes badly then it could set things up to be so much worse in the future if he needs more dental work.

[egoldber]

Just ask them for an estimate before you do it so you aren't surprised.

[lovin2shop]

My DS has had many extractions, and I honestly can't imagine not giving him nitrous. I wouldn't say that he is normally an anxious kid, but he has a very strong gag reflex and has always had texture issues with food. So, if that is an issue for your DS, I REALLY recommend nitrous.