Broken front teeth, has anyone been through this??

[wheeler1]

This afternoon my daughter (9) fell in the kitchen and broke her two front teeth. . One of them broke right at the gum and she needs a root canal first thing in the morning. The other isnt quite as bad.
Has anyone been through this?? I'm trying to explain to her how they will reform new teeth for her but am at a loss...

It has been a very very trying day to say the least. The good news is she hasnt felt any pain from the exposed nerve. I have some pain killers ready if she should need them but so far, so good. Hopefully for her sake it will be a peacefull night.

Any advise or shared experiences would be welcome. I am beside myself...

 

[donnajon]

I broke my front tooth years ago (like30). I had a root canal but it was years after my tooth broke. It didn't hurt at all. I have never had a fear of the dentist. I remember he gave me a novacane shot in my gums but I could not feel the shot. I was in high school and it was nothing traumatic. I think it sounds scarier than it was. I really didn't feel a thing. And think how much more advanced things must be now. Good luck and try not to worry.

 

[wheeler1]

Thanks Donnajon,

I have tried my best to convince dd that today was in fact the worst of it and if she managed to get through it ok then the rest should be ok.

Of course, its 11:40 pm and I'm still awake. I think I need to take my own advice and try and relax a bit.

Thanks again for responding, I appreciate it.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Oh, I feel for you!

My DS fell off his chair last year in school (don't ask...he was sitting in it at the time...he'e a boy, what can I say, lol!) and broke his two front teeth. Luckily, while the worst one was about 1/2 broken off, neither break went into the nerve areas of the teeth. Our pediatric dentist wanted to wait over 2 weeks to fix the teeth, but I got a very strong feeling that it was more because his schedule was tight rather than any medical reason.

So, we took DS to our old dentist (about 1.5 hours away) and he fixed them the next day. It was completely painless, but again we weren't dealing with a root canal or nerve endings. I wish I had more advice for you, but sending you hugs and pixie dust!

Please keep us posted as to how everything turns out!

 

[laurajetter]

When I was about 8 I was standing in my friend's driveway, waiting for my mom to pick me up. I was bored, so I thought it would be fun to toss a rock in the air and catch it. I kept doing this, and kept throwing it higher and higher. Pretty soon it got tossed up beyond a large tree's many branches... I stared straight up to keep sight of the rock... the sun filtering through the leaves made it hard to see so I squinted, with my mouth partially open... then BOOM! I felt a hard bang against my teeth.

I immediately realized that both my front teeth had gotten quite a large chip in them from the falling stone. I dropped down on my hands and knees, and frantically searched for the missing pieces (amidst thousands of white stones & pebbles ). Needless to say, couldn't find them. Of course, I know now that it wouldn't have mattered anyway, they don't reattach the pieces!

My mom arrived, and I had the bright idea that if I just mumbled to her and didn't open my mouth that she wouldn't be able to see the chipped teeth. Brilliant, except after the second time I mumbled she knew I was hiding something. Boy was she mad when she saw my teeth!

Anyway, mine did not expose any nerves and the dentist was able to repair them quite nicely. The procedure wasn't very bad at all. The worst part I guess was the needle to get the Novacaine, but it was bearable for me and didn't last long.

I hope everything goes easily for your daughter. Here's some pixie dust .

 

[jemiaule]

Ah, been there, done that - my entire row of front teeth got broken (4 of them!!) - not as high up as your daughters but enough to have to get root canals and caps on them all.

As someone mentioned the worst part if the shots to numb the area before they do the work; after that it is cake.

Most likely the dentist will use a topical first to numb the area where he is going to do the shots. Yes, there may be multiple ones. The topicals they use usually come in different flavors (I prefer banana) and s/he may ask your daughter what she would prefer.

Personally I also ask to have nitrous (ie: laughing gas) too because I am uber-whimp when it comes to the dentist. I have NO idea if a dentist can and would use this on a youngster however. Just in case it could be suggested tomorrow you may want to look it up on Google just so you know about it and, if it is suggested, make a decision if she should have it or not. I would think most dentists would not even recommend it unless they felt it was ok to use on a youngster, but better to have some knowledge in your pocket before hand.

After they do the root canal they will make up a temporary crown. They are not the most attractive things in the world compared to the permanent crown she will get later but it won't be horrible. Since it is her front teeth they will probably not wanting her to bite into anything like apples and the like with the temp crowns on. With the permanent ones this won't be an issue.

Afterwards she is going to probably not feel a bit worn out; a nap will probably do her wonders and she may want to take one without a suggestion from you. It will also be a good thing as the shots wear off. If anything have her relax on the couch with a comfy pillow. Ask you dentist for a prescription for a pain killer just in the off-chance she might need it. You probably wouldn't even need to go fill it unless she asks for something stronger than a Tylenol.

After the main work is done and it is time to go back to get the permanent crown she will be on easy street. They won't want to numb her for that with a shot, if she needs anything it will be a topical. They will want to check her bite and make sure everything feels good in her mouth.

Good luck to her tomorrow and good luck to you too. Try not to stress out; I know it is hard not too!

 

[Disneyaunt4]

I fell jump roping when I was 11 and broke 1 front tooth at the gum line and cracked the other. The cracked tooth eventually needed to be crowned also. I don't remember it being to painful other than the pinch of the needle when he gave me the novacaine. I remember being more upset that I was missing swimming lessons. The cutest part was when I came home with my new crown on for the first time,my 10 years old sister had baked me a cake in her Easy Bake oven that said'Happy Peg Tooth Kathy". My poor mother was probably more upset than I was. Sending your way

 

[monarchsfan16]

I broke my front tooth when I was 7. I tripped over my own feet running in a grocery store and landed face first on the part of the shopping part that some people will stand on (on the front of the cart). Yeah that hurt. I was unbelievably scared of the dentist and my tooth broke didn't break near the gum so I didn't end up having it rebuilt until I was 14. The rebuilding process was easy. They just stick this gummy stuff on the tooth that's similar in color and shine a blue light on it. It hardens and then they shape it a bit. Because of nerve damage from the trauma, the nerve in my tooth died when I was 17. It resulted in an abcess, requiring a root canal. Also no big deal. All I felt was pressure, no pain. Of course in my case the nerve was dead at that point, so it may be a bit different for her, but it wasn't bad. My dentist had to do the root canal in two parts because of the infection, but it was still no big deal. I've only ever had minor cavities filled and I found those to be worse
You might warn her that if the dentist gives her novicane her nose will probably be numb after. It's a REALLY weird sensation

 

[wheeler1]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies!

We made it through the night, I finally managed to go to bed, I didnt, and still havent heard from my daughter! Her dentist told me it would probably be a rough night for her but she slept just fine. So relieved...
Now we just need to get through the root canal later today. We are seeing an Endodontist for this part and then going back to the regular dentist for the other.
They did explain to me that she will need to get a more permanent tooth (crown?, not sure) when she is 18. But for now they will create something else. And yes, she will not be able to bite into anything, etc etc.

Can someone tell me, will her new front teeth LOOK like teeth??? I know this isnt really super important in the grand scheme of things, but she is 9 and will need to live with these for a very long time...I feel badly for her...And are they somewhat durable? Questions for the dentist, I know!

One step at a time I suppose! This is how we will get through it!

Thanks all!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I broke my front tooth just after getting my braces off. I broke it to the root and never got a root canal (dentist was amazed that it was still alive). I have a bonding on now. I have had it replaced twice in 30 years. I also have two posts in the tooth to aid the bonding. My front tooth looks 100% natural. They dye the bonding to match your existing tooth color.

 

[monarchsfan16]

They should look fairly real. My dentist didn't do the best job shaping the bottom of my tooth, but people have never questioned what was wrong with my tooth so I'm assuming it doesn't look that bad. And they're durable. I eat corn on the cob, from the cob every summer. I wouldn't open a soda can with my tooth, and I tend to shy away from biting into apples, but so far, almost 6 years later, the tooth is still holding up fine.

 

[Mkaz]

My DD had this happen to her when she was nine. She was in the cafeteria waiting for her bus number to be called to go home. A little boy accidentally hit her with his backpack. It had a brass keychain on it, and it hit her mouth. When she got home I knew right away that something had happened to her tooth. I asked her what happened and she told me that "S" accidentally hit her with his backpack. Then she proceded to tell me not to worry because the bus driver told her that it would grow back. I had to explain that it was not going to grow back and that she needed to have it fixed. She did fine at the dentist office. In the end, I think it was harder on me than it was on her.

 

[ktglads]

I broke my front tooth when I was about 8 roller skating. It just barely there after the gum. I did not need a root canal as the nerve is still alive, but I did manage to break that same tooth about 8 times afterwards (that list is quite long of how I did those). After all that they just put a pin in the tooth and built up around from there. That seems to hold. The tooth does seem to discolor every few years or so, but with teeth bleaching, I can get them to the same color again. I did have to have a crown at about 22 so she may have that in the future as well. Nobody knows I have a fake tooth unless I tell them.

 

[stacy347]

Be sure to tell your DD that she is definitely not alone in the "New Front Tooth Club"

I broke both of my top 2 as a kid ~ the first one when I was about 9 on a metal sled going down a hill when I hit a bump and flipped (this was many years ago...haven't seen a metal sled in ages and for good reason ) and the second one when I was a teenager...my best friend and I were out cruising and I was drinking a Mt. Dew in a glass bottle when she slammed on the brakes ~ there went most of the other tooth!

Fast forward about 20 years or so to when my oldest DD is in 5th grade ~ she was goofing off on the flip bars outside on the playground and wasn't paying attention when did her flip. She proceeded to bash her face on the bar and lost most of her 2 front teeth, along with getting a terrible fat lip and damaged gums.

On the plus side, with the new materials they use for the bondings and caps, hers look beautiful and very natural (mine are just OK, IMO) ~ so your daughter should be pretty pleased when it is all said and done ~ like everyone else has basically said, the worst part will be the shots and that is over quickly!

 

[Regina]

The poor kid. I broke my front tooth when I was a little.

As others have said, the worse part is the novacaine. Back then, we used to go to this archaic dentist who capped it in gold. It wasn't solid in the front; my tooth looked like it was in a gold frame. (I can't believe the rap stars who get this done intentionally.)

When we switched dentists, the first thing he said was "who did this to her?" I got a porcelain crown after that.

Be prepared, every 12 - 15 years or so, it has to be replaced. It's actually better that she needs to have both teeth done. Eventually the one next to my crown started discoloring. Bleaching didn't work so I had that tooth capped as well the last time I needed to replace the other one. It was $$$$$ but well worth it.

Give her a hug and tell her that she'll have a very pretty smile once its all over and done with.

 

[wheeler1]

Oh thank you everyone, really!!

She just amazes me! She is up and about, smiling away as usual. Her lip is a bit fat , she is so much more calm than last night. And this in turn is settling me a bit.

The pain in my heart at not being able to do anything for her , what an awful awful feeling.

Last night the dentist was joking with her telling her in 6 months she will be laughing about this but her mom, on the other hand, may never be able to laugh about it!!!! Its a mom thing I suppose!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Glad you're both feeling better this morning. You'll get through all of this, I promise!

As for how the repairs will look, I don't know about the capped tooth, but my DS's reapirs look beautiful. You'd never even know that they weren't his real teeth. When the bottom edge of the tooth that completely broke off halfway up was repaired, it was sooth across the bottom. The other tooth only had a corner break off, so part of it was still naturally ridged. Our wonderful dentist even smoothed that part out so they would match. It looks great.

Oh, we will have to alert the orthodontist that they were "rebuilt" when he gets braces (yes, we've already been told that he'll need them). I think it has to do with the bonding process for the braces, but I'm not totally sure.

 

[Buckalew11]

I had my front teeth knocked out with a baseball bat when I was 8. They were brand new, just coming in! It has been a long haul for me, but nice to read about everyone's positive experiences. I'll leave it at that.

 

[4nana]

No advise, just want to give you and DD a ((hug)), as I can imagine how you feel. Glad she's in good spirts, that helps Mommie for sure.

No tooth replacements here yet, but DD had a peg lateral tooth capped when she was 8yo, 27 yrs ago and amazingly still looks marvelous darlin'. Then our 9 yo DGS fell this winter ice skating and broke his front tooth in half. His dentist told DD to save it in milk and the next day he bonded it all back together. Did a wonderful job, but needless to say we all realize in the future it may need RC w/cap. Needless to say, we all stress about our babies teeth when injured, specially the front ones!

Best wishes on DD appt. and send prayers things go well.

 

[wheeler1]

Thanks again for all your kind words!

Now I understand the pixie dust posts so much better! It really does help.

So we were chatting and it occured to me I never really asked her how it happened. Now, you need to understand she has been taking dance/ballet for 5 years now and anyone with a child in dance will tell you that these kids just spontaneously start dancing whenever and wherever. She cannot walk accross the floor without twirling around or skipping or whatever.
So she tells me how she walked in the kitchen, kicked off her shoes, spotted the cookies on the cooling rack on the kitchen table, decided to do "the running man" type of dance over to the table in her socks, both feet went out from under her and she fell quickly and hard.

Apparantly she wasnt aware that mommy had washed the floor and it had just dried moments before she arrived . Ooops...

So, now the new rule in our house is no running man in socks on a freshly washed kitchen floor!!!!!

We are off to the endodontist in a bit. I am praying this goes smoothly for her. We are definitely in a better frame of mind this morning so I am hopeful!

Thanks again! I will update when we get back this afternoon!