While on vacation, DD tripped and face-planted on the cobblestone walkway and split her front tooth up to the gumline on the side. We saw an emergency dentist and he took out the loose sliver and told us to see our dentist when we got back home. Well, she referred us to a pedi tooth trauma dentist who said that it needed to come out and there was no saving it because there was multiple breaks in the tooth. Fortunately, she said that damage to the adult tooth should be minimal. I was super upset today hearing that it'd have to come out and that she'd have a big gap until her adult tooth comes in. I know this is the healthiest thing for her teeth to remove it, but I'm having such a hard time picturing her with a large hole in her mouth. I'm just afraid people will stare and ask questions, that kids will make fun when she's older, that all her pictures will be with her having a big gap, etc. She's only 2, so we have about 4 years before her adult tooth comes in. It feels like an eternity!

On the practical side, has anyone had an early extraction for their toddler? How was recovery? They are planning on doing a conscious sedation with a drink they'll give her with laughing gas. How did you deal with it emotionally?