This happened to a friend of mine back in the 80s. They put the tooth back in, and it was fine. I don’t know how it did into adulthood because we lost touch, but it was fine all through high school. I don’t know the specifics of the treatment, but I don’t remember her mentioning much follow-up and it still worked out fine. I’m sure treatment is much better 40 years later!

Best wishes for him!

OP again. Thank you dearest Internet strangers for your kindness and humanity, truly. It means so much to me.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, I agree that he has been given a lifetime of dental issues to deal with and I'm heartbroken about that. Even though I'm full of regret these things happen and I can't take it back. Just trying to do my best and keep going for the sake of the little man 😔

Please ignore the AHs and trolls, OP. Some people have nothing better to do with their lives than post mean-spirited nonsense at strangers on an anon board. Crap happens to good people sometimes, and nobody is guaranteed a blemish-free childhood. You're taking responsible care of your child. That's your job, and you're doing it well. Doesn't have to be perfect, and it won't be (for any of us).

What was the alternative, not letting him ride a bike because he might get hurt? That's overprotective and problematic in a few ways. There's nothing to regret. Just keep showing up for your kid and doing the best you can with whatever happens. That your kid doesn't seem stressed out means you're doing a great job.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, I agree that he has been given a lifetime of dental issues to deal with and I'm heartbroken about that. Even though I'm full of regret these things happen and I can't take it back. Just trying to do my best and keep going for the sake of the little man 😔

As someone who had dental issues starting when I was a teen (12 year molars came in all wrong), honestly things have been better since we just pulled the teeth and I got an implant.

While the teeth were annoying before, it wasn't anything like chronic pain, post root canal you don't feel anything in them. The tech has gotten a lot better. I spent so much time being afraid of losing the teeth but while it wasn't fun, it wasn't as big of a deal as I feared.

It's not fun, but I wouldn't list it as anything that's derailed or significantly impacted by life and wellbeing.

**missing four front teeth**