Any experience with toddler tooth extraction?

My sweet 2.5 year old tripped on pavement last night during a walk. He was running just ahead of me and lost his footing. He didn’t seem to have any bleeding when we checked him, just a small scrape on his chin. This morning though I noticed a very obvious vertical crack right down his front tooth. He seems to be doing fine and himself-drinking, brushing teeth as usual and in good spirits. Eating has typically been fine too other than some hesitancy with a pouch. We were able to get him an emergency dental appointment today, and the Pediatric dentist said the fracture is running straight into his nerve. Unfortunately the protocol would be removing his entire tooth. We scheduled the extraction, but still getting a second opinion tomorrow even though I’m not sure what else can be done. I’m feeling so guilty, and anxious. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this either as a parent/caretaker or even personally. I feel so bad it will be years until the next tooth comes in, Im hoping he isnt effected by this long term or traumatized from the experience. The dentist explained the procedure as numbing the nerve and quickly pulling the tooth while either my husband or myself holds him. No laughing gas or anything, and she did say it may be a bit traumatizing for all of us so Im all the more apprehensive about this. Im so sad, Ill be missing his sweet smile and feel so guilty everytime he smiles at me now knowing whats to come. Any insight is much appreciated.

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Yes I've experienced that with my now 13 year old. He handled it well. He was a little confused after but had recovered quickly

Definitely be in the room if you can, be his comfort the best you can... I'm honestly shocked they aren't using some sort of sedation though. Laughing gas works for some kids but others struggle to breathe through their nose with the nose piece so then it doesn't work.

@Sierra thank you so much. Was the removal experience similar to what the dentist described? Did he care about it before his adult teeth came in?

@Sierra yea I was hoping for some sedation options too. She said at his age he would be pulling the laughing gas from his nose and it wouldnt work. And my husband and I will both definitely be there so no one is doing this alone.

Recently went though this with my 4 year old. She chipped a front tooth shortly after we moved into our new home. Dentist kept an eye on it up until this past summer, itt finally started to discolor so we made the decision to have it pulled. Preparing her took the most time but once she was calm enough to get started she got through the novacaine and extraction like a champ without the laughing gas or sedation. Our pediatric dentist let me hold her hands and basically lay over her and my husband was there rubbing her ankles to help comfort her instead of having her strapped to the hug board and it worked out very well. Now she runs around telling people her dentist took her tooth out but she's okay. Hopefully your LO does well with it and it all goes as smoothly as possible.

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