Badly broken front tooth 8yo DD - PLEASE HELP!!

[maggotts]

DD 8 has broken her front tooth off almost at the base. Its a second tooth. Emergency dentist has done a temporary repair and we need to see someone else asap. Don't want it to hurt her and want best long term outcome and happy to pay. Where should we go so its done right?

you should see your regular dentist asap for an assessment and x-rays etc. the dentist will then be able to assess the long term prognosis of whats left of the tooth. if the tooth has fractured near its base then it has most of the root retained. it also depends how the fracture runs across the tooth and whether the nerve is involved.
the dentist will carry out tests to check the nerve is still 'alive'. if its a simple fracture then a simple filling will repair the tooth but if its more extensive and involves the nerve then root canal may be indicated to save the rest of the tooth. all these factors will determine whether the tooth has a good prognosis. there are many options available but it all depends on the assessment.
you can ask your dentist to refer you to a paediatric specialist dentist at the dental hopsital because if your dd's case is complex there will be lots of different specialists available.
if your dd is not registered call the dental hospital casualty dept for advice as they may be able to refer her after she is seen there.

I broke my front tooth at about this age.

After many years of having it rebuit in white stuff by the dentist, every 4 or so years, I had a crown done when I was 18 or so (thye waited until I was old enough to pay!)

My crown is indistinguisable from my real teeth and ha been there 20 many years.

I hope she is ok and it gets sorted.

Thanks crunchiebar and MarmadukeScarlet

Have seen emergency dentist and it is a bad break - lots of nerve damage but he has put a temporary cover on it to stop pain/infection and tomorrow we see what our options are with own dentist. Thinking about switching to specialist paediatruc dentist as well to (a) get best long term result and (b) least pain (more pain relief options).

Just feeling very helpless right now as time seems to be of the essence and it is a Bank Hol so can do nothing today.

DD very worried that she looks strange - just half a tooth at the moment. Don't know how long it will be like that. Not too bad as lots of 8 yo have missing teeth at this age.

Me just worried about teenage years and all the apperance hang ups being made worse by a broken/missing front tooth. So Marmaduke, thanks again for the consoling words.

i broke mine off when i was about 8, the nerve was very damaged. I had a crown put on and its been fine since.

I have only had 2 complains about it and they are watch out if your child starts brushing more than usual as it can be an infection and if the crown evr needs changing they changer is not normally a nice colour.

I have had mine for donkeys now and you cant really tell in most lights.

Where do you live. Try and find a dental hospital as they have a really good service, and most of them have clinics you can just turn up to.

oh bless. dd1 did this at 7 as well, two months after getting her shiny new teeth - racing her brother on his bike - she went over the handlebars...

it's two years since and we've practically forgotten now - except she's not allowed to eat apples and carrots raw unless they are chopped up lol. the dentist will sort her out. we had to wait ten days before they would do anything except emergency stuff, once the swelling had gone down. dd1 had a dance show after a week, poor wee lass, and still had grazes on her chin and wouldn't smile...

i felt sick for ages - my baby, scarred for life etc, but she's fine

lulalullabye - in norfolk - not much of anything here but will travel!

madwomanintheattic - that is exactly how I feel at the mo!!! Nice to know that helpless-not-doing-anything may actually be the only course of action at present.

Thanks for everyone's kind words. Reassuring me means I am more convincing at reassuring DD (who is more upset today than she was yesterday now that initial mad panic is over).

Guys and St thomas' and Kings college hospitals have really good dental institutes that have walk in clinics. They are Nhs and do children. If you are willing to travel I think it would be worth it. Ring first and just ask what the clinic times are, but don't tell them why. I think they will find your dd's case interesting and will take it on because of the student factor ie teaching as it doesn't happen often.

Good luck if you try