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The thought of your child having a tooth removed can be alarming. However, tooth extraction, or the removal of a damaged tooth from its socket, is a relatively common procedure in children that can provide long-term oral health benefits.
Understanding the techniques involved in tooth extraction can help ease your concerns. It can also help you relieve your child’s anxiety by explaining what they can expect during the procedure.
Dentists use two main techniques for tooth extraction: simple extraction and surgical extraction.
Both types of extractions can be performed using a local anesthetic. Depending on your child’s condition, they may be eligible to receive nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to help them remain calm during an extraction.
The type of extraction technique used depends on the unique position, size, shape, and location of the tooth to be removed. A dental X-ray and examination of the affected tooth are considered in making this decision.
Working with a dentist you trust can help both you and your child feel comfortable about the procedure. Extractions specialist Staci Brunell, DMD, and our staff at Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in Yorktown Heights, New York, provide professional and caring services for children of all ages who need a tooth removed. We work to ensure that your child has the best possible experience when the extraction of a tooth is needed.
Find out more about tooth extractions in children and the different types of techniques used to accomplish this.
The removal of a child’s baby or adult tooth is often advised to protect the health of their remaining teeth and their entire mouth. Some common reasons your child may need a tooth extraction include:
Simple tooth extraction is used to remove a tooth that is visible above the gumline. Because of its position, a visible tooth can usually be removed in one piece in an easy and minimally invasive process.
To remove a tooth using simple extraction, the tissue surrounding the tooth is numbed so your child doesn’t experience discomfort. This is accomplished with the injection of a local anesthetic.
To extract the tooth, a dental tool called an elevator is used to slowly move the tooth out of the gum and loosen it. When the tooth can be elevated from the gum, a pair of dental forceps are used to rotate the tooth inside its socket.
This helps to separate the tooth from the periodontal ligaments that attach it to the jawbone. When it is loose enough, the tooth can be removed.
Surgical extraction involves the removal of bone and/or gum tissue with the tooth. A surgical extraction is commonly used to remove wisdom teeth, which can begin to cause discomfort before they erupt. Depending on its placement, a tooth may have to be removed in several pieces rather than intact.
Before beginning surgical extraction, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the area. After the anesthetic takes effect, an incision is made along the gumline to reveal the targeted tooth underneath.
Depending on the placement of your child’s tooth, the bone surrounding the tooth may have to be removed before the tooth is extracted. When it is accessible, the damaged tooth is loosened and removed with forceps. Dissolvable sutures may be necessary to secure the incision.
It can take a few days for your child to fully recover from a tooth extraction. Depending on the procedure your child experienced, they may leave the office with gauze on the treated area to allow for the formation of a blood clot.
The risk of post-surgical complications is higher after surgical extraction. Dr. Brunell ensures that you receive detailed instructions on how to care for your child after tooth extraction.
If your child has undergone a surgical extraction, their recovery will take longer than a simple extraction. Typical recommendations for post-extraction care include the following guidelines:
Find out more about the reasons for having a tooth extraction and what you and your child can expect during these procedures. Book your appointment with Dr. Brunell by calling our office or using our convenient online scheduling tool.
