Over half of tooth extractions for children ages 3 to 13 are due to cavities.
To begin, your child's dentist will clean and disinfect the treatment site in preparation for the extraction procedure.
To perform a simple extraction, Dr. Kearns or Dr. Jocelyn will use local anesthesia to numb the area and the surrounding nerves. This will ensure that your child feels no pain or discomfort during the procedure.
If you child seems apprehensive about the extraction, nitrous oxide may be used to keep your child comfortable, relaxed, and anxiety-free during their procedure.
Your child's dentist will gently loosen the tooth in the socket using special dental tools. When it has been loosened sufficiently, they will pull it out with a pair of dental forceps.
When the tooth has been removed, your dentist will clean the area again. Occasionally a suture is needed to allow for proper healing of the extraction site.
After the procedure is complete, your dentist will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions that will ensure your child’s mouth heals as quickly as possible.
Cavities commonly form on a child’s molars because baby tooth enamel is very fragile. Children often have trouble following complete dental health care practices, making their teeth more prone to decay. If your child’s tooth decay is so severe that no restoration can salvage the tooth, an extraction may be necessary.
If your child experiences dental trauma from an accident, fall, or sports injury, the tooth may need to be removed. A chipped or cracked baby tooth can cause pain and increased sensitivity in your child’s mouth, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment iwht our Tinton Falls office to address the situation.
Sometimes, baby teeth loosen and then tighten back into the gums. This is referred to as over-retained baby teeth, which prevents permanent teeth from erupting properly. Your dentist may recommend extracting these teeth to allow adult teeth to erupt into the mouth in the proper position without any crowding.
If you child is working with an orthodontist, an extraction may be recommended to provide more space for nearby teeth. This allows the orthodontist to more easily straighten adjacent teeth.
An extraction may be necessary for orthodontic reasons like overcrowding.
After the extraction procedure, your child may experience some minor swelling and discomfort for a few days. By applying cold compresses to the face for 20 minutes at a time, swelling and pain symptoms will subside. If your child continues to have severe reactions or symptoms, do not hesitate to call our office immediately.
It’s perfectly normal for a little bleeding to occur after an extraction. The gums will soon form a blood clot within the socket and begin the natural healing process. It is very important to keep the protective clot securely in place. This will allow for quick healing of the area and prevent any additional bleeding or discomfort.
To protect the clot, your child should avoid using straws or forcefully spitting for the first 24 hours. After that, you child may rinse with warm salt water to promote healing of the area. Tylenol or Ibuprofen, along with ice packs on the outside of the cheek, can help alleviate any pain or swelling. If your child experiences excessive swelling, shows signs of an infection, or gets a fever, contact your Tinton Falls pediatric dentist right away.
Make sure you child avoids hard, crunchy foods and opts for softer foods instead for the first 1-2 days after the extraction. This will ensure the protective clot stays intact and that the area is not irritated further. In addition, encourage you child to drink plenty of water and continue to brush and floss the remaining teeth in order to keep their mouth as clean as possible.
Usually. Tooth extractions that are required to remove damaged or decayed teeth are typically covered by insurance. However, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider and work with them to fully understand your coverage and benefits.
Most patients can return to school the same or next day after their extraction.
© Sycamore Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 2024
Website managed by MagnifyPrivacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility | Notice of Non-Discrimination
.png)
.png)