How We Approach A Child’s Tooth Extraction
When a tooth cannot be repaired with a crown, there is a good chance tooth extraction could be crucial to protect smiles from major complications. Our team takes time to ensure the process is comfortable and successful for little smiles. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about the tooth extraction process.
When Little Teeth Need Removal
When do we need to actually remove a tooth from your child’s smile? When possible, we strive to repair teeth with the placement of fillings or crowns, or the use of a root canal alternative known as a pulpotomy. But in some cases, repair is impossible and the tooth remaining in place could threaten the smile as a whole. For example, a severe decay or infection could allow infection to reach other teeth or move onto the jaw unless the tooth is extracted. If baby teeth fail to fall out on time, this could impact how permanent teeth arrive and lead to misalignment, unless of course we remove the tooth. We may also take out teeth to aid in orthodontic treatment, or to assist with bite balance or chewing function.
Planning for the Tooth Extraction
We always work hard to ensure our little patients are calm and comfortable throughout the treatment process. We will plan the procedure in detail with digital x-rays, so we can pinpoint the position of the tooth and plan the removal in detail. With a local anesthetic, our team can numb the area and help kids stay comfortable and relaxed. We also have sedation, which allows little ones to enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, often with little memory of the procedure.
Removing a Tooth
When we have prepared your little one, we will then gently extract the tooth with a pair of forceps. We then suture the area closed. The sedation may take time to wear off completely, and your child will need to rest for a day. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions and prescriptions for medications to aid in the healing process and help your child stay comfortable. For the first day or two, offer them soft foods, prevent them from using straws, and ensure they are gentle when brushing and flossing. If you have any questions about how our team will conduct a safe and gentle tooth extraction, or if you want to schedule your child’s first checkup and cleaning of 2025, then contact our team today to get started.
Talk to Our Team About Oral Surgical Procedures for Kids
Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda wants to help kids in need obtain a tooth extraction with comfort and precision. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call our Dallas, TX, team today at 214-321-4880 today.
filed under: General Dentistry