While every effort is made to preserve children’s teeth, there are times when removing a tooth is the healthiest option. Extractions are safe, routine procedures that can relieve discomfort, prevent future problems, and support proper development—even when the tooth is a baby tooth that would have fallen out eventually.
A dental extraction is the gentle removal of a tooth that can no longer stay healthy or functional in the mouth. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia, ensuring your child remains comfortable throughout the visit.
Dr. Lee carefully loosens the tooth and removes it in a controlled, child-friendly manner. Afterward, the area is cleaned, and clear instructions are provided to support healing at home. Most children return to normal eating and activities quickly, often within a day.
When a cavity is too extensive for a filling, crown, or pulp therapy, removing the tooth may be the best way to eliminate infection and protect nearby teeth.
If bacteria have reached the root and cannot be safely treated, extraction prevents pain from worsening and stops the spread of infection.
Teeth that are broken beyond repair—such as from sports accidents or falls—sometimes need to be removed to prevent ongoing discomfort or complications.
Occasionally, removing a baby tooth helps guide the proper alignment of permanent teeth, creating space and promoting a healthier bite.
Some baby teeth don’t fall out on their own and block adult teeth from coming in normally. Extraction helps prevent misalignment and discomfort.
Although losing a baby tooth may feel concerning for parents, removing a problematic tooth can greatly improve comfort, health, and long-term oral development.
Removing an infected or damaged tooth stops ongoing discomfort and prevents emergency dental issues.
Extracting a tooth that is severely decayed or infected keeps neighboring teeth safe from the spread of bacteria.
In some cases, extraction helps ensure that permanent teeth come in straighter and with fewer complications.
Even though baby teeth are temporary, removing one at the right time can prevent long-term orthodontic or developmental problems.
When needed, an extraction can be a positive step toward a healthier smile—relieving pain, supporting proper dental development, and setting the stage for strong, well-aligned adult teeth in the future.
The most common reasons for tooth loss include advanced periodontal disease, extensive tooth decay, and facial trauma. According to statistics, gum disease is responsible for close to 70% of tooth loss in adults. Although less frequent than the preceding three reasons, it should also be noted that specific diseases, drugs, smoking, and poor nutrition contribute to the risk of tooth loss.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that in the United States, an average of 12 teeth (including the wisdom teeth) are lost by the age of 50. Also, 26% of adults between 65 and 74 years of age have lost all their teeth.
Every patient and every situation is different. However, when a tooth and the surrounding tissues are numbed with a local anesthetic, you should only expect to feel a bit of pressure, but no pain as the tooth is being loosened from the surrounding tissues and extracted. For patients who are apprehensive and for some surgical extractions, our office will discuss our options in dental sedation to provide further relaxation and reduce any sense of discomfort.
While it's normal to feel some tenderness and swelling following an extraction, the degree of these sensations can vary. It mostly depends on the complexity of the extraction and the body's response to the procedure. We'll recommend or prescribe the appropriate pain medication to help ensure your comfort and give you specific instructions for maximum effectiveness and safety.
Typically, the recovery period following a simple extraction is shorter than a surgical extraction. However, a patient's overall health, habits, the size and location of the tooth, and other variables can influence recovery and healing. To speed up the recovery and avoid any complications, patients must follow the given at-home instructions diligently. We'll carefully review what to expect following your procedure and go over your post-op instructions.
Smoking interferes with blood clot formation, which is an essential first step in the healing process. Blood clot formation not only provides a protective layer to cover the underlying exposed bone and nerve endings, but it also supports the growth of new tissue. Cigarette smoke also contains chemical toxins that can disrupt the healing process and lead to problems such as continued inflammation, infection, or dry socket.
In a very small percentage of cases, a condition known as dry socket can develop in the aftermath of a dental extraction. This painful condition can arise when the blood clot in the extraction site doesn't form properly or gets dislodged. With dry socket, you may experience throbbing pain and symptoms such as bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth. As skilled providers of care, our office will provide immediate treatment to alleviate your discomfort and promote healing.
The last teeth in your mouth to develop, wisdom teeth often do not have enough room to fully erupt or may be positioned in the wrong direction. These issues can affect your dental health as well as overall wellbeing. While some individuals never develop all their wisdom teeth, and a few have sufficient space for them, there are many people with partially or fully impacted third molars. Our office will monitor the development, position, and health of your wisdom teeth and will advise you if and when extractions are indicated.
After a tooth is removed, bone-grafting material is sometimes placed in the socket to promote healing and encourage new bone development. This procedure is often performed to support the eventual and successful placement of a dental implant.
At the office of Tiny Trips Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to make dental care affordable and accessible. Depending on the type or complexity of the extraction and other variables, the cost of the procedure can vary. Based on our diagnostic findings, our office will inform you of the healthiest choices in care, explain the fees, discuss insurance coverage, and explain your payment options.
Many dental plans offer some level of coverage for tooth extractions. We'll advise you if your plan covers the full cost of the procedure and if there is any out-of-pocket expense. Our business office will work with you to maximize your insurance benefits as much as possible while helping you minimize any out-of-pocket expenses.
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