Questions about broken front tooth. Regular dentist or cosmetic dentist? (teeth, hurt)

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

My 7 year old broke her front tooth last night. It's a diagonal break about 1/3 of the way down her tooth. We have the part that broke off and are keeping it moist (we called her dentist and that's what he said to do, he also said fixing it could wait until Monday).

Two questions: *Is* this something we should be waiting on or should we go to an emergency dentist? Her dentist asked me a couple questions (was the break white or red? white. etc.) and said the answers indicated we could wait. Her tooth does hurt a little, though (only if she eats or if we try to brush), so I'm wondering if that's the right course of action.

Second: Should I take her to her regular (pediatric) dentist or should I consult a cosmetic dentist?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

[SusanG_O]

Same thing happened to me. I don't recall if I had the broken piece but my regular dentist put a pin in it and instantly the tooth looked whole again. And this was 20 years ago.

[Isabella Tiger Moth]

Thank you, it's so great to know the bonding has lasted so long! I brought my daughter (along with the tooth fragment) to my husband's dentist (family/cosmetic) this morning, and he did an awesome job! He bonded the fragment into its original position, and you, literally, cannot tell any difference between the tooth pre and post accident. He says she'll have to be more careful (no more biting into apples, etc.), but that the nerve appears undamaged and the bonding, with care, can last indefinitely. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[PeteyC]

Just to add another note of encouragement: Similar incident occurred with my daughter, her front tooth was also broken at an angle and like your daughter, there was fortunately no nerve damage. Bonding has thus far lasted over five years and still looks great. We are unable to see any difference in either the color or the functionality from the other teeth. Little girls can and do play roughly!