What To Do When A Tooth Needs Extraction

Posted October 15, 2024

When a tooth can longer be treated with a filling or crown, then your child may need to have it extracted to protect the smile from major oral health complications. Our team can conduct the procedure with comfort and precision. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about tooth extraction.

The Situations That Call for an Extraction

When should a tooth be extracted? When damage occurs that is too severe to be treated with a crown, or if your little one has a cavity we can’t address with a filling or crown, or an infection too severe for a pulpotomy then the tooth may need to be removed. Otherwise, the infection could spread to other parts of the smile, causing further discomfort and tooth loss. We could also remove a tooth to make room for orthodontic treatment, or to help improve overall bite balance and chewing function. If a baby tooth fails to fall out on time, we could remove it before it impacts how permanent teeth can erupt.

Planning the Procedure

Our team will plan the procedure in detail to ensure we avoid contact with blood vessels, nerve tissues, and sinus cavities. We do so with digital x-rays and intraoral camera technology, planning the procedure in detail.

Dental Sedation

We always take time to ensure your kids enjoy a comfortable treatment experience, even if they have dental anxiety or special needs that could otherwise complicate treatment. For example, we can numb the area being treated with a local anesthetic. In addition, our team can administer sedation to help kids enter a deep state of calm and relaxation. We could choose from nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or even IV sedation.

Tooth Extraction

When we have planned the procedure in detail and your child is properly numbed and sedated, we can then gently remove the tooth with a pair of forceps. Once we do, we will provide detailed aftercare instructions so a clot can form and the area heals quickly. For a day or two, kids need to rest, eat soft foods, and be very gentle when brushing and flossing. Avoid straw use and tell them not to poke the site with their tongue!

If you have any questions about how we conduct a safe and gentle tooth extraction, or if you need to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help your kids enjoy their best smiles!

Schedule a Visit for Tooth Removal

If you have questions about how we conduct a tooth extraction, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with our team, call your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, at (214) 321-4880.