[Soccermomtobe]

Our two-year old son fell and broke his front tooth this weekend . The dentist said since the nerve is showing we have two options - totally take it out or try doing a pulpectomy (take out the pulp above the tooth) and put a crown on it. She said the success rate of that is maybe 60% at his age - meaning we might have to pull out the tooth anyway.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with either - the removal or a crown. I know the extraction would be quicker (for both they would just numb the area - no anesthesia) and he really won't care he doesn't have a tooth - but I guess I'm struggling with it - thinking about seeing him without that front tooth until his permanent tooth comes in.

Thanks for any thoughts on this,
Mary

[w8ting4Thomas]

no suggestions...but hugs to you

[brink]

Our daughter was about three when she fell and knocked both top front teeth back, behind the bottom ones (when she closed her mouth). Different situation, I know, as hers weren't chipped....yet (see below). The dentist wanted to save the teeth, if possible. He was concerned about her speech with both front teeth out until permanent ones came in. And he also didn't want her teeth to shift for the next few years until then. Both teeth died later and one did fall out, so she did have one gray tooth and one empty spot in her smile. Her permanent teeth came in fine and healthy. When she was in 7th grade, she tripped on the bottom step and fell, teeth first, against a radiator. I can still hear that noise and that scream! She chipped the inside corners out of both front teeth. The same dentist did a great job of matching the color to the rest of her enamal. She has a gorgeous smile, thanks to our dentist, and some cash later. I hated that her teeth (twice) were damaged, but she hasn't had any trouble since then with the repair work. Good luck.

[mommytoEli]

when ds was 4, he and eli crashed and the casualty was ds4's front tooth. it turned black...absessed, and HAD to be pulled. i was so sad. they thought the other front tooth might have to come out too...and i hoped it would bc i was so afraid of what ONE missing tooth would look like....especially bc the dentist said that new tooth would not come in for THREE more years...lol....but in the end...it was adorable. then he stuck things in the gap...and it moved the tooth below the gap hole....until that tooth had no hope, and fell out too. lol. so now...i have a 5 year old with a gap hole...it is huge....food and drink fall out sometimes...but it is cute. i did alot of research when it happend originally....and i was AMAZED to learn how many little kids...mostly boys, lost teeth at a young age. i even did a poll about it.

what age did your child lose their first tooth?

[mishaac]

My 23 month old fell a couple of weeks ago at daycare and chipped her two front teeth - like right in half! Luckily the roots were not exposed so they were bonded, but the dentist did say there was still a chance the teeth could die and would have to be pulled. Apparently these situations are pretty common - good luck with your decision!

[EZ2Luv]

If it were my child, I would let how the child reacted to dentists be the deciding factor. I wouldn't want to have the child go through all the dentist trauma only to have the tooth fall out anyway. KWIM. My little guy has broken a tooth but he was older and it was only a matter of time before the tooth would be falling out anyway so we opted to just pull it.
For me I think I would just have them pull it even though it would kill me. Then again at 2 yrs old the denist can be so scary especially to have to sit their through all that work.

EZ

[sjay]

My daughter fell and injured her tooth when she was 2. It turned grey at age 3, and cracked at age 4. We had it pulled and just waited for the front tooth to grow back. It did and was fine.

[ucme4dk]

Hi Mary,
My ex is a Ped Dentist and I am his office manager. The dentist that you saw gave you very accurate advice. Front primary teeth that require a crown or pulp/crown do have a higher failure rate. It is however very difficult for parents to make the choice because there is a chance that the permanent tooth may not come in until 8 plus years old. On the other hand my sister whom my mom adopted from Bulgaria at 5 mon. old needed massive dental work by 18 mon old. My mom opted for 2 front pulps/crowns and they lasted with my sister until her permanent teeth came in. I would probably opt for the crown which can hopefully last at least 2-4 years....by that time if you need an extraction the time frame will be much less for his permanent tooth to come in. Also if you do the crown I would discuss some type of sedation for your son. At 2 that type of procedure may be very overwhelming for him. Front crowns tend to take longer and are at a higher level of difficulty to prep. Just my .02. I hope this helps. Take care.