Dear Sir/Madam!
I have a 30-month-old child. When he was 1.5 years old, he fell and completely drove his two upper central incisors into the jaw; four days later they were surgically removed. One upper lateral incisor was also knocked out in the fall.
I would like to ask how likely it is that he damaged the permanent upper central incisors?
When can the permanent teeth be X-rayed?
Until the permanent teeth erupt, can he receive a removable denture for the three missing upper teeth, and can this be made in your practice?
Thank you for your answer.
Respectfully,
Borut

Dear Sir/Madam!

There is certainly a possibility that the buds of the permanent teeth (their developing tooth germs) were injured, but it is difficult to quantify the risk. At this age the tooth germs cannot yet be seen on an X-ray because they have not begun to mineralise (mineralisation is expected to start at around the age of four). An X-ray therefore does not yet make sense. A child can otherwise be X-rayed (with appropriate protection) once he is capable of cooperating (remaining still, etc.), but before any exposure we always assess whether the image is justified, depending on the information it can provide. At this age, making a temporary replacement would be unnecessary, if not even harmful, because the risk of injury from the appliance is too great.

Have a nice day!