Monday, September 29, 2008

Well... phooey.

So, phooey is not really what I'm thinking, but I'm trying to keep it Godly over here in my corner of cyber-space, so let's pretend, shall we?

The dentist is sending us to a specialist.

I KNOW - it doesn't look that bad. But, evidentially it's possible that the impact did some damage to the blood vessels close to the root of the tooth, and he sees what may be the very beginning of an abscess. So, we are off tomorrow to go see a dentist that specializes in root canals, because root canals are tricky on 7 yr old front teeth. Learn something new everyday around here. The doctor tomorrow will confirm or deny that an abscess is beginning, and either do a root canal or not based on that.

Please pray the root canal won't be necessary.

The dentist today also said that the tooth is "shakier" in her mouth than it should be and it is possible that the tooth is cracked. It was not obvious on the x-ray, but there was a spot he was concerned about. He said, "If the tooth is cracked, I don't know what you do."

Isn't that comforting.

Again, the specialist tomorrow should be able to tell us more. And, I'm sure you know what I'm hoping for.

Add to this, being the all-knowing SuperMom that I am (HA!) - today on the way to the dentist, I promised my very nervous kid that I would not let anyone pull her tooth. Oh, I hope I am able to keep that promise. I did not realize that I was making a hasty promise - I really thought we go in today and they would repair that little bit of chipped tooth and off we would go.

The mom in me is surprisingly shaken by this turn of events. I know in my mind that I am grateful that it is not her neck that was broken - because it was a nasty wreck. I know I should be grateful to live in a time where so many options are available, and where there is such a thing as a root canal specialist. (Did anyone want to be that when they grew up? Can you imagine someone asking you what you do at a Christmas party? That has to be worse than admitting you are an IRS agent.) And I know there are so much worse things that befall many children.

But, in my heart, I just don't want my 7 year old to have a root canal. Or lose her permanent tooth before she has had it a full year. I just don't.

4 comments:

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

I'm sorry hear that. I'll be praying that all will be well tomorrow and for God to give you strength and comfort. (((hugs)))

tlm said...

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping for the best. I had a similar break in one of my bottom teeth as a kid. My parents were told I would need a root canal, but wisely asked if there was danger in waiting (there was not, but that answer might be different with an abscess). That was well over 20 years ago, and I haven't had any problems. I had a simple repair (bonding: think tooth-colored modeling clay that hardens). Every few years, the bonding material will crack or come off, and have to be replaced, but I still have my tooth, its root, and no one knows unless I tell them.

If you are not so fortunate, at least take comfort that cosmetic dentistry is fantastic these days - there will be a good solution for her!

Just Mom said...

"But, in my heart, I just don't want my 7 year old to have a root canal. Or lose her permanent tooth before she has had it a full year. I just don't."

I don't either. I just prayed for your daughter.

Renee said...

I’ll keep you & your daughter in prayer tomorrow. Any amount of tooth/teeth (which is correct?) work for a child is not fun.

Last night the kiddos and I went for a walk, well I walked and they rode scooters and I’m ashamed to say they don’t wear helmets – bad mom! My son is 12 and my daughter is 10 and apparently it isn’t the cool thing to do – their helmets are more like a skateboarding type that come down over the ears which they picked out and was “cool” two years ago. Anyway as my son was “doing tricks” he too met the sidewalk and lost the battle. Praise God – nothing broken – just his pride as this happened at the park which was full of onlookers – but his chin, hands and knees are beat up and his jaw really hurts and is slightly black & blue. It’s hard not to do the whole “I told you so” story, but I hope he learned a lesson! Oh and tomorrow are school pictures - he’s not a happy camper :-(