Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To be upset over DC tooth?

17 replies

Troublesometooth · 22/12/2021 22:26

DC lost a baby tooth a few weeks ago. The new adult one didn’t look quite right as it is coming through so took him to the dentist.

They did an X-ray and the adult tooth is quite badly deformed. They believe it may have started as an extra tooth and now 2 are fused together and so it’s now a funny shape with a big ridge down the middl. The X-ray wasn’t the clearest thing as he wouldn’t sit still so he is being referred to the orthodontist.

I know it’s only a tooth but I’m really upset for him. He struggles with people near him and the dentist is difficult but he is clearly going to need treatment when he is older to do something with this tooth.

I’m also upset it will look different and affect his self esteem as he gets older.

OP posts:

Notwithittoday · 22/12/2021 22:27

Of course it’s not unreasonable. That’s a shame. Hopefully it’s something that can be sorted

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 07:18

Are there any dentists on here who know of a specialist who would deal with this sort of thing?

My dentist is taking a wait and see approach but I would be keen to get a second opinion elsewhere.

OP posts:

GoodnightGrandma · 23/12/2021 07:23

They do tend to wait and see with teeth.
Is it a tooth that’s visible at the front ?

Bagamoyo1 · 23/12/2021 07:23

I believe you can go and see any dentist without your original dentist knowing. They don’t routinely share records. I’d do that if you’re concerned.

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 07:38

@GoodnightGrandma

They do tend to wait and see with teeth. Is it a tooth that’s visible at the front ?

Yes unfortunately it’s the top front tooth! The other front one looked on on X-ray so they are thinking it’s just this one effected but he wouldn’t cope with any more X-rays to check others.

OP posts:

JustUseTheDoorSanta · 23/12/2021 07:48

@Troublesometooth

Are there any dentists on here who know of a specialist who would deal with this sort of thing?

My dentist is taking a wait and see approach but I would be keen to get a second opinion elsewhere.

What region of the country are you in? (Not a dentist, but know one specialist.)

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 07:53

@JustUseTheDoorSanta I’m midlands

OP posts:

rrhuth · 23/12/2021 08:04

Yanbu to feel a bit sad, but:
a) the extent to which it affects self-esteem can be improved by the way parents choose to deal with it
b) teeth are able to be improved cosmetically so there will be options.

I had a very visible front tooth problem and I'm not trying to minimise it, but there are things that can be done.

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 08:32

@rrhuth

Yanbu to feel a bit sad, but: a) the extent to which it affects self-esteem can be improved by the way parents choose to deal with it b) teeth are able to be improved cosmetically so there will be options.

I had a very visible front tooth problem and I'm not trying to minimise it, but there are things that can be done.

Thank you. I’m sure they will be able to do something when he is older, but he will go through his childhood and teen years with this problem and other kids can be cruel.

OP posts:

Marylou62 · 23/12/2021 08:38

Oh OP.. I really feel for you... My DD broke her front adult tooth at 8..only a shard left... I was hysterical I admit... She then had multiple tooth abscesses... She had a horrible time with many 'false' teeth.. Like a bit of white 'blue' tac stuck on which sometimes only lasted a few hours.. But at 17 she had the implant and a beautiful new tooth... (we started a savings plan but the lovely dentist did the implant a few weeks before her 18th so it was free.. We paid £400 for the tooth)
She's an adult now and it hasn't affected her confidence at all... (the only time she cried was at a wedding when she bit into a hog roast and the false tooth came off.. We had to leave early.. She was 14 then). I would just be very matter of fact about it.. She knew that she would get a shiny new tooth at 18...I would wait and see in all honesty... Treatment is easier when you're older if you haven't developed a fear of the dentist maybe? Sending hugs as I remember the (frankly irrational) sick feeling when she fell and smashed her lip and tooth.. Blood everywhere..
You wouldn't even know now... X

rrhuth · 23/12/2021 08:40

@Troublesometooth I went through with a more visible issue if I am understanding your description and it was fine.

Try to focus on what you can do. Have you spoken to a cosmetic dentist?

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 08:42

@Marylou62

Oh OP.. I really feel for you... My DD broke her front adult tooth at 8..only a shard left... I was hysterical I admit... She then had multiple tooth abscesses... She had a horrible time with many 'false' teeth.. Like a bit of white 'blue' tac stuck on which sometimes only lasted a few hours.. But at 17 she had the implant and a beautiful new tooth... (we started a savings plan but the lovely dentist did the implant a few weeks before her 18th so it was free.. We paid £400 for the tooth) She's an adult now and it hasn't affected her confidence at all... (the only time she cried was at a wedding when she bit into a hog roast and the false tooth came off.. We had to leave early.. She was 14 then). I would just be very matter of fact about it.. She knew that she would get a shiny new tooth at 18...I would wait and see in all honesty... Treatment is easier when you're older if you haven't developed a fear of the dentist maybe? Sending hugs as I remember the (frankly irrational) sick feeling when she fell and smashed her lip and tooth.. Blood everywhere.. You wouldn't even know now... X

Thank you!

Your poor daughter, I’m glad she got sorted int he end. I’m saving up for a dental implant myself in a back molar so will keep the conversation open as he gets older.

He is very wary of people and new situations so the dentist is really difficult for him, he won’t even visit a hairdressers!

He is only 5 so too little to care at the minute. But as he gets older I know that will change.

OP posts:

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 08:43

[quote rrhuth]@Troublesometooth I went through with a more visible issue if I am understanding your description and it was fine.

Try to focus on what you can do. Have you spoken to a cosmetic dentist?[/quote]
No we haven’t yet, he is only 5 and the tooth hasn’t come through yet. I will do once it’s through and we can see the full extent of the problem.

I’m hoping maybe a veneer can be attached while he is a teen before a more permanent option when he is older.

OP posts:

rrhuth · 23/12/2021 09:55

If it were me I would speak to someone now to get an idea of the options as this would help me to calm down. That is just me though!

Be careful not to make your issue with this into his issue. I know it is a shock but hopefully all will be well

Fretfulmum · 23/12/2021 10:11

This is really distressing as a parent. There are options available. If the tooth is fused it is called gemination and can be cosmetically treated to look like 2 individual teeth. Sometimes this tooth is an extra tooth called a supernumerary, nd the actual adult tooth may still erupt in the mouth at a later date. This can only be confirmed on a X-ray.
This is not what you want to hear but there is limited things a dentist can do at this stage. They need to wait for more adult teeth to erupt and then take a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment. It may be that your DC has to wait a few more years yet. In the meantime, you can see an orthodontist and a paedodontist who can give you some possible options for the future.

Original poster

Troublesometooth · 23/12/2021 10:42

@Fretfulmum

This is really distressing as a parent. There are options available. If the tooth is fused it is called gemination and can be cosmetically treated to look like 2 individual teeth. Sometimes this tooth is an extra tooth called a supernumerary, nd the actual adult tooth may still erupt in the mouth at a later date. This can only be confirmed on a X-ray. This is not what you want to hear but there is limited things a dentist can do at this stage. They need to wait for more adult teeth to erupt and then take a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment. It may be that your DC has to wait a few more years yet. In the meantime, you can see an orthodontist and a paedodontist who can give you some possible options for the future.

Thank you.

The X-ray wasn’t as clear as it could have been as he was distressed and wouldn’t be still. She said she thought it was a supernumerary tooth that had formed but then fused to the adult tooth, however the adult tooth part was only small.

The X-ray of the tooth to the left of it looked like a normal adult tooth in the gum so we are hoping it is just this tooth that’s affected.

Here is a photo of the tooth coming through. This is what prompted me to see a dentist as it didn’t look right. It looked like it was coming through sideways. All his others are still baby teeth, this is the first one he has lost.

OP posts:

liveforsummer · 23/12/2021 10:45

It will be a wait and see situation I'm afraid. They can't do much until all the adult teeth are in to see how it's all ending up. Dd has a top front tooth that never grew in for years and now it has it's not fully come down and is deformed at the back. They can't do anything while much while the jaw is growing and baby teeth are still present unfortunately

Flip