My 9 yr old has cavities since her teeth are falling out anyway do they need to be fixed ? $500?
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Yes, it is important to retain the deciduous teeth; they act as a guide for the permanent teeth and are needed for the essential palatal growth until the eruption of the permanent dentition, even if it requires taking care of decay. If the decay is left it may cause dental pain and can affect the permanent tooth below it that hasn't erupted yet. Some of these teeth may need pulpotomies and crowns; that would explain the cost mentioned. Most dentists will advise you to keep the ones "needed" longer and will want to restore them. The others that have decay and are about to be shed, will be left untreated unless the child is in pain, or about to be due to the decay.
Listen to your dentist, they are only trying to take care of your child and keep you from having the more serious expense that would be required when the deciduous teeth are shed or removed early, or not treated at all and affect the permanent one below it. The removal of these teeth early would most likely lead to the need for orthodontic treatment and possible surgery to correct what could be avoided now by simple restorations.
At nine years old your child should be taking much better care of his/her teeth. It may be necessary for you to start checking after brushing and flossing is complete and have them re brush if needed. You certainly don't want the permanent teeth to decay due to neglect too.
You can also check with other dentist if you feel this diagnosis is incorrect or priced too high, but you will have to pay for the exam so that's an additional expense. I would suggest you sit down and discuss this with your dentist, let him explain just what is necessary and why the treatment is needed.
I hope I've been of some help and good luck with your pending procedures.
Additional information: You can also discuss using a "space maintainer" (which will hold the space open as if the tooth were still there) if a tooth needs to be extracted rather than doing treatment.
If they are really bad and are causing pain, then of course you should have them fixed. If they are just surface cavities, then let them go. Ask her if it hurts.
yes!
They shouldn't have to be fixed. Most dentists (including mine when I was younger) would just leave them because the tooth is going to fall out anyways. The only thing I can think is that maybe the cavities are already really deep into his/her tooth and the nerve and the dentist doesn't want to let them get any worse as they could turn into a very painful abscess. I think you should call the dentist and ask why cavities on teeth that are going to fall out need to be fixed. If he/she can't give you a straight up answer (like being concerned of infection) then get a second opinion before you pay $500 for repairs on teeth that won't be there forever.
Hope this helps. Good Luck. :-)
$500. cavities??? Change dentists! A 9 yr. old shouldn't have cavities. She needs better dental hygiene. Make sure she brushes in the morning and before bedtime. Show her how to floss. She needs to have lots of calcium and stay away from sweets and sodas. Yes, she needs to have the cavities filled.
Yes.
You are correct that the primary (baby) teeth will eventually fall out, however, those primary teeth STILL are connected to nerves, have a pulp, and will still feel pain and can become infected if a cavity gets out of hand. It's better to get dental work taken care of now, rather than face more severe problems later...taking a chance that they will fall out before the worse happens.
Molars (larger teeth located in the back of the mouth) remain until close to teen years. Also, permanent molars come in starting at the age of 6 (then the other 2 sets usually come in around the age of 12, then 16). It's vital for visits to be regular with your dentist, so they can help you keep your child's teeth healthy and clean...meaning strong and healthier teeth for your child's future. :)
I know it's hard to have fillings done. But consider this...if you chose not to have these completed...then a year or two down the road...your child's cavity may get worse, acquire an infection (causing terrible pain), which will result in a baby root canal (pulpectomy), or even extractions. Not fun. Better to take care of it now...than suffer higher fees and pain later.
Hang in there! :)
No way a bad dentist will tell u that u need it, but an honest one will tell u straight out not. I used to go to one rotten one and he fixed em all. The I switched and the new guy said whats the point? Unless its really bothering u, dont do it. Theyll fall out so why wastet the time money and pain?
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