I had no time to think, no time to panic, yet my hands found time to shake. I scooped her up and looked into her mouth. Her top two teeth were chipped badly. I grabbed a Boo-Boo Buddy and she held it to her mouth to help with the pain. Almost immediately, the call went in to her Dentist. The time was 12:05; The office was at lunch. I left a message and called my Dentist who could see her at 3:30. By 1pm, her Dentist had called back and moved things around to fit her in at 3:30. Only two and a half hours to go.
Dr. G met her in the waiting room to take a quick look. He then escorted us to the room, put a camera in her mouth, and assessed the damage. I was hopeful up to this point until he opened his mouth to tell me how bad it was. What I heard next was, "Blah, blah, blah..." as my head felt light and my extremities started to tingle. I slowly lowered myself to the floor (since there was not an extra chair in the already overcrowded room). I know it seems silly to think I almost passed out but not having anything to eat or drink for four hours coupled with the emotions of dealing with my first emergency took a toll on me.
Once I regained my composure and stopped my hands from shaking, I was able to comprehend a little more. Most of what he said I could not absorb. I still don't understand everything but I've got the gist of it. Her left tooth was so badly damaged that the only way to save the tooth was with a root canal which was not an option for her. Her root system is not completely developed and, therefore, cannot be fixed. My greatest fear, in this particular situation, was going to come true - she was going to lose the tooth.
Kyla was being a great patient so far. They put numbing gel on her gum and gave her a local anesthetic. The hygienist was holding her hand trying to comfort her the best she could. Dr. G began to work on the broken tooth. About fifty minutes into the procedure, Kyla lost her ability to stay calm. Her emotions were so out of control they gave her a ten minute break so I could calm her down. My efforts failed. She was crying uncontrollably and couldn't focus on me. Her eyes were blank. There was no answer to a yes or no question. No squeezing my hand. She went back to the chair so he could finish what had to be done to the broken tooth. With her adrenaline pumping, the anesthetic was going through her faster now. After a total of an hour and a half, he had removed the tissue (basically killing the tooth sooner rather than later) and packed the hole with the tiniest bit of cotton.
Her teeth are still ragged and sharp. Her left tooth has already turned gray. Her next appointment, on Wednesday, will include sealing the tooth and bonding it. He will file and possibly bond the right tooth as well. This is his one attempt at trying to keep the dead tooth in her mouth for more than six months. He did, however, tell me to expect for the tooth to be pulled in a few months. Apparently, missing a tooth puts her as a prime candidate for orthodontics later because there's no telling how the permanent tooth will come in.
Kyla slept for the entire ride home and an additional hour on the couch. She remained on pain reliever for the rest of the night and today. Her diet is soft, bite sized pieces of food at room temperature. She is drinking fluids through a straw and they need to be slightly warmer than room temperature. She inhaled three pieces of bread and butter last night plus a soft cookie, diced. Then, she was back to her daredevil self.
I always knew Kyla would be my 'emergency child'. I expected something like this from a bike accident, not a fall on the tile floor. She has been running around the house as if nothing happened. My nerves are still on edge. Through her ordeal, I have remained thankful that my spunky little girl is still here in one piece. Her smile may not be the same, and in a few months it will change again, but I will love her new smile just the same....I hope.
I, on the other hand, am not the same. I'm completely paranoid of another fall resulting in trauma. I know kids will be kids and need to be kids but the wound is very much open for me right now. Hearing her cry over something sends my blood pressure through the roof not sure of what I will find when I go to her. Time will heal this as well and I will loosen the reigns once again.
Oh, I nearly forgot to add that the Tooth Fairy made her first stop to our house. I told Kyla since she was in the Dentist's chair getting work done she would get a visit that night. Our very generous Fairy gave something to Jake as well since he was in the office and went through the day being supportive. Both kids are tickled pink with their new Monster Trucks. ;)
Seeing pictures of her beautiful smile makes me feel a little sad...
Before we left for the Dentist (her teeth used to touch)
In the chair and holding Miss Amy's hand
The damage on the back of the tooth (and where Dr. G spent his time)
Conked out
Enjoying a cookie
