ugg, son's tooth broken in school!

**Matt's Mom** · 02-15-2006, 06:45 PM

Last Friday we got a call from the school saying our DS's tooth had broken when him and another boy banged heads in gym class. Well I thought maybe a little chip WRONG! He had such beautiful straight teeth!!

His permanent front tooth is 3/4 gone! We ended up having to rush him to an endodontist for a pulpotomy and filling as he had nerve exposure, poor kid!
Well tomorrow (thurs.) he is supposed to see his regular pediatric dentist and they will hopefully be making him a built up tooth so he can have something temporary until he can get a real cap and root canal (probably not till he's 18 or so they said because the tooth and roots are still growing until then) and he's only 8! So he'll need something there for the next 10 years. He had cut his lip a little bit, it was not a big deal but that lip has been so extra sensative since then! He also swallowed the tooth that broke off! Man, that had to hurt!! Well, the endodontist's office was supposed to fax over the info to his ped. dentist before tomorrow's visit (I was assured Monday it was being done) and as of today still nothing! So I called again and waited and the lady at the ped. dentist said still nothing, so she called and they said they are all looking but can't seem to find his record of being there Fri! My DH said "I'll bet they find our bill just fine though!" LOL Wish us luck tomorrow! Thanks!
Ok, I'm done whining now,lol.

**Advertisement** · 02-15-2006 06:45 PM

**flybabyny** · 02-15-2006, 09:21 PM

I'm so sorry for you! I have to agree with your DH, though! My DH and I are paying for braces, along with insurance coverage, and we got the most ridiculous bill yesterday! They said the amount due was $360.00, but there was only $70 left unpaid! Does that make any sense at all? Anyway, best of luck tomorrow!

**ang in NC** · 02-15-2006, 09:23 PM

So sorry. I used to be a dental assistant, they did the right thing. Try to turn it into your medical insurance and say it was an accident. They might pay something.

**justme23** · 02-16-2006, 02:26 AM

Sorry about the tooth getting broke, bless his heart.

Ask around before going for a very painful root canal and cap. Our dentist told us the other day that they are almost never needed, they just happen to cost the most to do. He also told us that he replaces caps ALL the time and that veneers (I think that's what he called it) are cheaper and last MUCH longer.

Don't take my word as gospel, cause there will be plenty of ppl here to say their caps have lasted forever... I'm just saying, ask several dentists (that aren't getting your money) first.

**Snooty** · 02-16-2006, 04:43 AM

Matt's Mom, I am so sorry for your son. OMG! I can't imagine how that hurt with nerves exposed! To go to a dentist absolutely kills me.

I wish him all the luck in the world.

**PrincessArky** · 02-16-2006, 05:52 AM

ah poor little guy.....I hope it gets worked out soon and as for payment HELLO the school has insurance for just such accidents......you need to phone them and find out what all you need to do

**Matt's Mom** · 02-16-2006, 07:29 AM

Thanks for all of your well wishes and suggestions! I really appreciate it.
PrincessArky~exactly!! That was my first question (well after what happened, how did it happen)to the school nurse. She said "it goes under your insurance" My husband was furious! He said that what if we didn't have any? What if ins. doesn't want to cover a new tooth because it's "cosmetic" or something like that? Then at the endodontist's, she said all schools (of course) have to have insurance, but it's a "last resort" So I guess any unpaid balance after our insurance can be billed to the school. I'll be sure that it does!!
Hoping today goes well....will fill you in later.

**kyswpgrl** · 02-16-2006, 07:37 AM

Not trying to be rude and I know you're upset, but why should the school be responsible? It was an accident and could have happened anywhere. It would be different if the boys were fighting. I would chalk it up to a bad childhood experience (and I'm sure it happens more than you think), send it through insurance, and consider yourself lucky that you DO have insurance that helps you pay for it. I know I've never been in that situation and may think about it differently if I was, but I still don't see how it's the school's fault.

**Matt's Mom** · 02-16-2006, 08:14 AM

no, not the school's fault, but I'm not "suing" them either! Most schools have insurance for just such occasions, as well as it being on record that it was a school incident that would cover any further complications until he is 18. If it happened at someone's house, their homeowner's would cover it if need be. This could be a very expensive long road ahead. I am not thinking it is the school's "fault" anymore than it is mine, but if they CAN cover any costs that insurance doesn't cover then they should. Not like I'm saying if they don't cover the balances I will sue or anything, nor am I blaming anyone at the school.

**Steena** · 02-16-2006, 08:27 AM

At my sons' school they offer insurance for accidents, which we have never purchased.

When my son was in second grade, he slipped on some hard ice on the playground and got a deep gauge on his forehead. He had to get stitches for it, and still has a scar. At the time, being pretty upset, I thought about what if this kid needs plastic surgery...does the school pay? It was an accident, and we got over it, but I know at the time, it was upsetting.

**kyswpgrl** · 02-16-2006, 08:36 AM

OK makes more sense now. You just said anything left unpaid, you were going to make sure the school took care of it. I didn't see how it was their responsibility, but I wasn't thinking of them carrying insurance just for those situations.

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