Root Canals Done on Two Teeth!

Samuel fell in our house last summer and had large chips knocked out of his two front teeth. The fall also knocked them out of place a bit as well. They never discolored or anything like that, but a visit to the dentist revealed that abscesses had formed because there had been nerve damage. The dentist recommended that root canals be done. Because Samuel cannot even sit for a complete exam, it was decided he should have the procedure done under general anesthesia.

We went to the hospital for this on Friday. I was worried about how Samuel would react to everything and was especially worried about making the trip home with him in the car. The hospital where we had this done was an hour and fifteen minute drive from where we live. After hearing about this, my Mom was generous enough to make the three hour driving trip from where she lives to help us out.

On Thursday we went to Samuel's pediatrician for a pre-surgery physical. Samuel allowed his blood pressure to be taken! We were able to do this by telling him the cuff wrapped around his arm would give his arm "a big squeeze hug." He protested and it took a couple tries, but it finally worked! This was the first time he ever allowed his blood pressure to be taken. We were also able to get his temperature taken with the probe held under his arm. I restrained him in my arms to get this done. He wasn't happy but he didn't fight too hard. He wouldn't let the doctor check his ears at all. The doctor skipped that part. As far as checking his throat, we had to hold him down on the exam table for that. Strange, because in the past it has not been so difficult. Maybe the combination of things, or the order they were done, was a part of his lack of cooperation.

I wrote a social story about our day at the hospital the night before we went. While my Mom drove in the next morning (we left at 4:30am for the long drive to the hospital!), I read the story to him. My Mom had a cool CD playing with animal sounds from Alaska blended in with music. I didn't know if Samuel would like this, but he seemed to enjoy it very much. We listened to it both ways of our drive.

We arrived at the hospital at 6am. It was still dark outside. The hospital building was lovely while it was still dark and all lit up. It was a relatively new building, and the furnishings, layout, lighting, and colors were very pleasing. It felt more like we were arriving at a nice hotel rather than a hospital! Samuel did fantastic while I left him with my Mom and I took care of registration. He seemed to view the experience as a sort of adventure and seemed to anticipate each step with curiosity.

We were placed in a private room within minutes. It had a television and Samuel could change the channels. This helped keep Samuel occupied while we waited for our nurse to get things ready. We had to go through the whole series of taking vitals again like we had done at the pediatricians office. We weren't able to get his temperature because the nurse had a thermometer that measured temp. by placing the probe in his ear.

One of the things I was most apprehensive about for the whole day was the administering of anesthesia. He was supposed to get a sedative first. There were two options: a liquid form or being given a shot. We tried the liquid but I was not very hopeful it would work. It didn't. So, he had to be given a shot in the leg. He was heartbreakingly upset at this, but he dozed off within a few minutes. He was then put on the bed and wheeled into the operating room. I followed, dressed in "scrubs." I was allowed to remain there until he was given the anesthesia (a mask over the face...). Even though he appeared to be asleep, he was crying and struggling as they gave it to him. Wow, that was hard to watch.

An endodontist took care of the root canals and then the pediatric dentist took x-rays so that he could carefully look at the condition of Samuel's teeth. He has never had a very thorough exam of his mouth. The dentist found two small cavities and filled them. He also capped Samuel's front teeth. That was a pleasant surprise. I had not realized they were going to do this during the surgery. His teeth look so much better now!

The surgery was scheduled for 7:30 to 9:30am. It took a bit longer, and I didn't get to see Samuel until after 11am. My Mom and I had plenty of time to visit with each other in our room! We haven't gotten to talk to each other like in person in a long time! (There are always lots of children intervening!)

Samuel woke up just fine and did just fine on the car ride home. He was quite energetic the next day, yesterday. Today he is moving a little slower, but he doesn't appear to be in any pain. He says that he is not in any pain when we ask him. Fortunately, I have been able to convince him to take some chewable Tylenol. I gave some to him when we got home, but haven't had to since then.

We had a great experience at the hospital. The nursing staff was terrific, the pediatric anesthetist was great, and the two doctors who operated on Samuel were wonderful as well! I am so grateful that we had all the good help, and I am especially grateful to my Mom for helping to make the day much easier for me!