Hello everyone. I just took my 20 month old to a pediatric dentist because I noticed that his top teeth had white spots on them, which I've read is the beginning signs of tooth decay. They did X-Rays, a cleaning and an exam. They told me his 4 top teeth need root canals! Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?? I am a little skeptical...
Thanks to everyone who responded! I did take Jaiden for a second opinion. Unfortunately I was given the same diagnosis. He does need 4 "baby" root canals. I trust this new dentist though because I was referred to him by several of my friends. Also, he and his office staff were very nice and it was a pleasant experience.
Get a second opinion. The bottom line is you don't want to do or not do anything that will jeopardize his permanent teeth.
A.,
I would def. get a 2nd opinion first! It could be true that he needs root canals if the nerve/root has been affected by decay, because then the nerve will die, the teeth will then "die" and get black and possibly affect the adult teeth. On the contrary, if it isn't bad enough to where the the baby teeth will fall out before it gets to the root, why spend all that money and discomfort to your child? I would def. get a 2nd opinion! :) Good luck.
If you are skeptical, get a second opinion. That is kind of unusual, aren't they going to fall anyway?? unless the decay might affect his permanent teeth.
A., please get a 2nd opinion and change dentists!
I had to respond, that is just so ridiculous. A root canal on a toddler! Those teeth are going to fall anyway. Please get another opinion. I have heard that white spots are from mineral dificiency. I would talk to a nutritionist also. One of my sons teeth turned grey when he was about 18 months old and the pediatrician and dentist said it was from putting him to bed with a bottle. It just didnt seem right, so I found a nutritionist who gave him special vitamins and his teeth were perfectly white in about a week. Please trust your insticts. If you want the name of the nutritionist, let me know, he is a bit expense but well worth the cost.
Best of luck to you.
A.
That seems a bit too much for me. I would get a second opinion and also ask your Ped. Without any knowledge in this area (I still havent taken my 4 year old or 2 year old to the dentist) I would say the dentist is crazy.... LOL
AMAZING! Are you sure that guy was a real pediatric dentist? Did you see his license? Did it have "CrackerJack" stains?
IF he is licensed (and that's a BIG "IF"), I'm betting he's just opened his practice and is trying to pay off his equipment. I had a similar experience with a new dentist once. He "over-sold" my need for a root canal so I got a 2nd opinion and he got a call from the Dental Society! Never needed to "have my roots done". That was 40 years ago!
S.
I think I would get a 2nd opinion, just to be sure
That is ridiculous-------get a second opinion. They are so money hungry ----- did we have all that fancy dental work when we were that age????????????????// Don't do it.
Hello A.,
My name is T.. I work in a pediatric dental office. The white spots that you may be seeing may be "hypoplasia".. It's just the way the enamel developed. There are many things that are written and said as to how hypoplasia is developed. Some dentists say, that while the enamel was developing the child could have had a fever, or could be from medications that the mother was taking.. I would advise you to get a second opinion before going through with your 20 month old getting root canals. And usually they are not called "root canals", they are usually called pulpotomy's or pulpectomy's.... Get a 2nd opinion........ Any questions, please feel free to contact me...
And after reading some of the other's comments, please just know that a 2nd opinion is a great thing. As to some of the comments about them being baby teeth, and they are going to fall out... Well, that is true, but those teeth will need to stay in place until they fall out. They won't fall out until around age 6-7 years old.. So, what ever you choose to do, please know that those teeth will need to remain healthy, and in place until then to benefit all the permanant teeth.
Hi,
I am a qualified denyal nurse and i have never heard of root canal treatment on a toddler..that is ridiculous! White spots on teeth can be due to a lack of minerals and your child may just need some vitamins to help this problem. They can also be due to a lack of calcium in the diet or too much fluoride. I would definetly seek a second opinion and refuse root canal treatment...Best of luck.
Carolyne
Definitely get a 2nd opinion! It just seems like an awful lot of pain to put your child through--and for what? I would also worry about the anesthesia they'd have to use on a 20 month old!
Do you have a regular dentist? Have the regular dentist check your child, and also talk to you pediatrician.
