Pediatric Tooth Extractions in Crowley and Burleson

Parents need to know that sometimes it is necessary for children to have tooth extractions. The good news is that an extraction can prevent a lot of possible issues down the road and keep your child’s smile healthy. A child’s tooth may need to be pulled because of damage from trauma or injury, severe tooth decay, or gum disease.

Gingivitis (mild gum disease) causes redness and swelling. If left untreated, gingivitis develops into periodontitis (serious gum disease), which affects the gums and jawbone. Severe infections can cause bleeding from the gums and loosen a child’s teeth. If the decay and infection severely damage the structure of the tooth, then an extraction will likely be needed.

Children’s front teeth have just one root, while molars with multiple roots. Molars are more likely to have tooth decay and need to be extracted.

Pediatric dentists, or oral surgeons, will take X-rays of the child’s teeth and gums to make sure there are no unexpected complications. The X-rays will show the tooth roots and the surrounding bone structure. This provides an excellent guide for the extraction.

We understand that before a pediatric extraction, children may become scared or anxious. They may need nitrous oxide or oral medications to calm them. Before the procedure begins, the dentist will use topical numbing on the child’s gum and then a painkiller shot inside the gum.

After the tooth removal, the pediatric dentist places sterile gauze over the tooth socket with pressure applied. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers may be recommended or prescribed, to help with any pain and speed the healing process.

When baby teeth are extracted, nearby permanent teeth will try to move into the open space, which can cause crowded teeth. Sometimes a space maintainer needs to be placed there until the permanent tooth naturally arrives.

If your child needs an extraction, please call our office. We specialize in keeping children calm during extractions. Please do not put this off or your child’s condition can get worse. Call us today.