Name: Ted S.

Utica, NY

Number of kids: 4

Ages of kids: 7mo, 2.5, 4.5, 21

Problem: My son needs to have his front top four teeth pulled because of excess decay. Do I put him under (a one to two day procedure I am told) and risk all the risks of anesthesia, or do I try to do it with a local in the dentist office. The dentist says no problem with the office, but I am concerned about the trauma to my son.

Solution submitted by Dr. Dave Reynolds from New Brunswick, CAN I'm a dentist practising in Canada and I've done lot's of dental extractions on very young children. I personally don't like to subject small children to general anaesthesia because that can be very traumatic to a child.(iv, hospital atmosphere etc.) If your dentist has a good report with children and you trust your dentist then I think doing the procedure in the office is a better choice. If you are really concerned, try to find a dentist who practices using Nitrous Oxide. This is a highly effective mode of anaesthesia for kids. I've used this a number of times with success. Good Luck, Dr. Dave