How (And Why) Do We Extract Teeth?

Posted June 4, 2024

We’ve often talked about the restorative treatments we use to help safeguard little teeth and keep your child’s smile full, such as our fillings and crowns. But sometimes, protecting little smiles means we need to remove a tooth before it can threaten the rest! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about the why and how of tooth extraction.

The Reasons a Child May Need an Extraction

When is a tooth beyond treatment with a filling or crown? When severe decay or infection occurs that cannot be addressed with a pulpotomy, then treatment is crucial for avoiding the spread of infection to other parts of the smile. Likewise, severe damage we cannot repair with a crown means the tooth may need to be extracted. If we need to make room for orthodontic treatment, or if extraction can improve overall bite balance and chewing function, then we may need to take a tooth out. We also recommend this if a baby tooth has failed to fall out on time, so we can lower the risk of misalignment by ensuring your child’s permanent teeth erupt without complication.

Ensuring Your Child’s Comfort Levels

We know parents and kids alike could feel nervous about a tooth extraction. Alert all, this is a form of oral surgery. But rest assured, we will take time to ensure your little one is comfortable throughout the process! Our team can offer a local anesthetic for the area where the tooth is being taken out. We also have multiple sedation options to help kids enter a deep state of calm and relaxation throughout the procedure, even if they have anxiety or special needs that make receiving care difficult. We want kids to always look forward to their visits, and that starts with a positive experience!

Removing a Tooth

Our team will plan the procedure in detail, taking detailed digital x-rays of the jaw to ensure we can remove a tooth with ever encountering nerve tissues, sinus cavities, or blood vessels. With a pair of forceps, we gently remove the tooth in question and will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a clot forms as the area heals quickly. We want kids to be able to return to their normal activities in as little as 24 hours if possible. If you have any questions about how we can conduct a safe and gentle tooth extraction, then contact our team today. We love to hear from you, and want to help your kids enjoy good oral health for years to come!

Do You Have Questions About Tooth Extraction?

We want to help your child maintain optimal oral health and full smiles, even if that means an extraction along the way. To learn more about the process of removing teeth, then please contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.