oral surgery

[Mrs.Chappy]

OK, this past Wed my almost three year old flipped over on a little kids ride-on toy, on pavement; landed on his face, busted his lip and the tooth was loose. We went to pediatric after hours urgent care and they said b/c the tooth was loose we should see a dentist. Yesterday was the peds dentist appt. The x-rays showed a fracture (there are no visible chips). The dentist said its 50/50 on if we will need to extract the tooth. We are in a 'wait and see' mode b/c it may tighten up and just need to be followed. So, i'm freaking out b/c its one of the front teeth. I guess i should be thankful b/c 1) its a baby tooth and 2) it could have been much worse of an injury. We are on a soft diet. I'm ridiculously cautious w/ him..moreso than usual now b/c any bump to the tooth can break it and mean surgery for sure. The fact that he is nearing three means if it IS extracted, he'll be toothless until the adult teeth come in which can occur 4, 5, 6 years. eek, that s a long time w/ a gap!

anyone have experience w/ oral surgery and toddlers?? i could use some support.

[missy329]

Sorry Mrs. Chappy for the little guy's injury. I do not have any experience with oral surgery but my nephew did knock out his from tooth when he was about one year old (he is now 16- so I am trying to remember back 15+ years!). He fell in the bathtub and knocked it out. The dentist tried to put it back in but it never took. Anyway, my nephew was fitted with a "bridge"- I think that is the correct word for it. It was basically a false tooth on some type of metal and the metal was bonded to the back of the teeth around it. He kept that in until he was about 5 or 6 and then they took it out. The dentist felt the "bridge" was the way to go because he needed that space kept open where his tooth was- and for cosmetic reasons too. The funny thing is that he ended up being the only one of all my nieces and nephews that didn't need braces!
Good luck. I hope your little guy ends up being ok and the tooth stays in!

[Mrs.Chappy]

Thanks missy:
i;ve asked about that..they won't do the impressions for it (maybe b/c it wou ld only be one tooth) and they feel like he will choke/gag on it..i'll post back w/ an update!

[jay&erinn]

A good friend of mine- her DD has been toothless (two front teeth) for quite a few years. She's undergone oral surgery twice- once to fill extensive cavities and once to do root canals and caps (something about antibiotics during pregnancy really destroyed her baby teeth- they're waiting to see about the permanent teeth when they come in). After the caps, etc were done, it was only about 3 weeks before one of her cousins hit her in the mouth and they fell out completely. I don't think too many people really notice that she doesn't have her front teeth. Well, I mean you notice it, but don't think that it's odd or different. It's been a few years- I think she was about 3. I would guess that those who see her everyday would notice after awhile, but I know kids who lose teeth at 4, so there wouldn't be a huge difference.

Another friend's DD recently had oral surgery too- she's about 2.5 years. Same thing- they're blamming antibiotics during pregnancy. It was to fill numerous cavities with the possibility of caps, root canals and/or extraction. She only needed the fillings and has done great.