Hello!
My daughter is 7 years old and today we visited her dentist. She had no problems at all when her primary teeth erupted. The problems began when the permanent teeth started erupting, specifically both lower lateral incisors. They started growing while the primary teeth had not yet fallen out, so they grew behind the primary teeth and over time pushed them out. They have nevertheless remained in the same position, and the dentist suggested braces because they cannot move back into the correct line on their own. We accepted that, but we have another problem. First her upper left first primary molar literally began to fall apart, and yesterday the upper right one did too. With the first one we waited in the hope that it would remain properly, but today the situation is that part of the root of one remains and three root fragments of the other remain, and these will have to be extracted. Since braces are also in prospect, according to the dentist the orthodontist may also suggest extracting the lower first primary molars because they have already been filled. Of course we trust her dentist completely, but a second opinion or another solution is always useful. Above all, my daughter is one of the few children who goes to the dentist with great enthusiasm, even when she gets a little star. Today, however, it was a major shock for me: removal of the roots of the upper first primary molars, probably extraction of the lower ones as well, and braces on top of that. I would like to emphasize that we watch her diet and maintain oral hygiene, but my daughter has received many antibiotics in her life. I will never forget that when she was 4, her preschool dentist said she could not believe that a child who had taken so many antibiotics could have such beautiful teeth. After the age of five, however, fillings began and then everything described above. So, to my questions:
Is it possible (if all four first primary molars are extracted) to put the child under general anesthesia?
Which type of braces is more suitable, fixed or removable?
If you advise against anesthesia, how should I prepare my child for the procedure, given that she likes the dentist but is terribly afraid of needles?
Please do not misunderstand me, but I think general anesthesia would do her less harm because she would not remember the procedure and would retain her enthusiasm for dental visits. Otherwise, I do not know whether she will ever again sit in the chair by herself and smile while her teeth are being filled!?!?
Thank you in advance for your answer and kind regards,
Vesna