Posted by Tara on 1/23/2008, 8:52 am, in reply to "Teeth"
70.88.221.89
Hi Amy,
My son, who was born w/PRS, and is now 31 months old. A while back, I had decided to locate a dentist who was both a ped. dentist AND an orthodontist, since given the PRS and teeth crowding issues he would most likely need teeth pulled and orthodontia work; she also had training at a cleft palate clinic and knows what PRS is. Having a dentist who fits both criteria is much more convenient, not only are you not having to deal with two sep. offices/doctors, my assumption was that orthodontist's have a more extensive knowledge of the jaw and bite issues that would plague a child w/PRS. He has already visited with her once for an intial checkup. According to our son's dentist, if our son had to be put under anesthesia for any reason (for teeth pulling or cavities to be filled), that would be done at our local childrens hospital by a sep. pediatric dentist in their operating room, she will not put our son "out" in her office for any reason, given his compromised airway; and I would never allow that anyway. We also had HUGE issues with intubation, so I can sympathize with you!! I hope your appt went well! Best of Luck!
Tara
--Previous Message--
: My son is now 3, he had the jaw distraction
: surgery when he was 2 months old. His
: surgeon mentioned the risk of "tooth
: bud damage" but when all of his teeth
: came in so perfectly and straight, we
: weren't concerned. However, One day (about 2
: months ago) I noticed a huge hole in his
: back tooth. It looked like half of his tooth
: had completely broke off. I asked the
: pediatrician about it, and he told me it was
: just a cavity and that i shouldnt worry
: about it as long as he's not in pain b/c its
: just a baby tooth. About 2 weeks ago, the
: tooth starting hurting him.. so i took him
: back to the pediatrician and he acted
: totally different about it. He was very
: concerned and suggested that i take him to a
: ped dentist. I have an appt tomorrow with a
: "regular" childrens dentist who
: probably knows nothing about Pierre Robin
: Sequence, Cleft Pallet, or the Jaw
: distraction procedure. I am wondering
: whether I should take my son to a specialty
: dentist who has a little more experience
: with anatomical abnormalties. I'm worried
: that someone who is not familiar with such
: issues won't be as careful. Maybe I'm being
: a little overprotective, or totally
: irrational, but I'm worried about the chance
: of the dentist slipping with his sharp mouth
: instrument and cutting the soft palate back
: open. It makes me cringe just thinking about
: it! And what if for some reason he has to
: put my son to sleep for the dental
: procedure, and he has to intubate him? We
: have had HUGE problems with intubation in
: the past. Even if they put a mask over his
: face and give him the sleeping gas that
: way.. theres a chance he will get into such
: a deep sleep, it may flare up his apnea
: again! I am worried outta my mind! I know
: the cavity probably isnt related to PRS in
: anyway, however I am still worried about our
: trip to the dentist.
: Thanks
:
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