Root canal for kids? | Feb 24th 2006
Jen took Luke and Jill to the dentist for the very first time today. Jen said the kids were cooperative and had a pleasant time. The dentist recommended a root canal for two of Jill’s teeth and fillings on three molars. Total cost for the work recommended is more than $2000. Yes, we only have a minimal copay, about $25 per tooth, insurance covers the balance. The dentist justified the necessity of the procedures because he said the condition of the baby teeth could affect the health of the permanent teeth that replaces them. However, I had a feeling some of these procedures may be unnecessary since the teeth will just fall off one a time in the next few years. The dentist just wants to milk the insurance companies.
I did not have he best oral hygiene practice when I was growing up. Tiyay Maret and Tiyay Kit did encourage me and my cousins to brush after every meal, but we were never taught how to floss. As a student at CPU Elementary, we get to have an annual checkup at the school’s dental clinic. I remember when I was five or six when my baby teeth started to fall off one by one. One summer, I spent summer vacation in Hinobaan where Tiyay Maret worked at ILCO hospital. I stayed at Manong Tikboy’s house. That summer, Tiyay Maret arranged to have some dental work done for me. I had five of my remaining baby teeth pulled in one sitting. I am pretty sure they were all full of cavities by then. Soon after that, my permanent teeth started coming out. I had a full set of permament teeth by the time I was in High School. In one of my dental checkups, the dentist commended my teeth. She said I had a perfect set of strong teeth. Apparently, none of those cavities which I had from my baby teeth affected the growth of my permanent teeth.
So, should I have the dentist recommended work done for Jill? I’d have to search the Internet to see what people say. I may have to ask other dentists we can trust who do not have a vested interest in the matter.