dental emergency- front tooth knocked out - freaking out
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Anonymous
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Hi my DS (15) had his front tooth knocked out. We got into a dentist a few hours later and he's now going to be on Augmentin and hope it can be salvaged. I am confused though since the tooth is dead- how it will be ok? But my point of this post is of course the what ifs. I am worried about infection but also if the tooth doesn't take, he's too young for implants so what do they do? It's literally his front tooth. Which I must add, were perfect and no braces were needed. I am so sad for him but maybe I'm overreacting. Any other tips? They said follow up tomorrow, then in a week, then again in 6-8and keep eye out for swelling access or discoloration. etc...
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Anonymous
| Sorry meant to add- the tooth was put back in the socket and bonded. In addition, there is small fracture in the bone they think but said that's common and should heal. He thinks 70% chance it will be salvaged.. |
Anonymous
| That sucks, sorry. He will likely need a root canal on the tooth (and possibly an implant in the future.) |
Anonymous
| My son's front tooth is dead but it happened at a much younger age. Maybe your son's tooth will be salvaged, they give it pretty good odds. Main thing now is it stays in his mouth so the bone doesn't atrophy. If he needs an implant someday, it has to wait until he's fully grown which for boys is at least age 17. I felt horrible about my son's accident but I remind myself it's not fatal. |
Anonymous
Thank you. What happened with your son? But if it gets infected or doesn't stay, what are his options? It's his literal front tooth and they say implants can't be done until at least 18 for boys. |
Anonymous
Yes that would suck but i would be happy if tooth was saved. What I am concerned with is what his options are if not? I don't even know who to see or ask or just stay in the care of the emergency dentist! |
Anonymous
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Worst case is they make him a flipper. Its what hockey players use, they can pop it in and out until he can get a real implant.
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Anonymous
| So sorry OP, what a total bummer. Just try and internalize that fact that it really will be okay (and certainly could have been worse!). My brother knocked out his front tooth when he was about ten?? They also put it back in and it lasted pretty much forever . . . I think eventually a bond on the front/a root canal . . . but he was fine/didn't dwell on it/think about it - just dealt with the occasional need to upkeep/retreat/whatever. And it looked just fine/great! A drag but he very quickly got used to it and moved on/never really thought/worried about it. |
Anonymous
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This happened to be when I was 12 during a ski accident. I slipped fell, rolled down the hill breaking a leg and knocking out my front tooth on the way down. It sucks.
It was roughly half the front tooth. The first dentist just put a cap on it — basically sane as a filling and took a “wait and see approach.” A couple years later I was feeling pain — the tooth was obviously dying so they did a root canal abd a crown. It never quite matched my other tooth and I was always self conscious about it. As an adult I got veneers on both front teeth and they look much better. I’m finally confident when I smile. All that to say, it could be along and expensive road for your son —- hang in there! |
Anonymous
| This happened to me at age 14. The teeth took but I did need root canals. Bc the root was dead I ended up needing a fake front (blanking on the name). That lasted for almost 10 years and then give out. I was able to then have braces to pull the remaining bone down(they have to cut back the gum) and then have a crown put on. I am definitely not describing it with the correct terminology but I did get multiple opinions each time I needed something major done. I have still avoided an implant and the only concession is I don’t bite into anything with my front teeth. |
Anonymous
| This happened to me when I was 12, knocked out both front teeth in a bike crash. They were successfully re-implanted, but they are "non vital." I am 50 and still have them. One is very very slightly discolored (probably only noticeable to me) but otherwise have had no problems. |
Anonymous
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It’s scary, but it will be ok.
My son broke off most of a brand new front tooth at 9 (not quite the same, as the root remained, but still a panic moment and an ongoing issue). He had a root canal with an endodontist and his tooth has been reconstructed with composite about 8 times as it can’t hold well without much tooth structure and it breaks off easily. They won’t crown it until he’s 18. He’s 17 now and the end is finally in sight. For your son, if it doesn’t take, they can either attach a crown to the two neighboring teeth or place one on a retainer until he is old enough for an implant. They will make his smile look normal again. Trust me. |
Anonymous
| A college friend never had front teeth - they just never developed, which I don’t think is all that uncommon. She wore a flipper for a long time - I’m not sure what work she has had done since. |
Anonymous
Thank you! He's handling it better than me.. |
Anonymous
| My son had a front tooth die and had a root canal when he was 12. He was so brave, although it didn’t hurt much he said, it took 2 appointments and he’s fine...he’s having braces put on in a couple months. Perhaps he’ll get an implant someday but in the meantime you really can’t tell much. So if he needs a root canal, he’ll be ok. |