Dental extractions are a common dental procedure, but they can feel scary. If even an adult dislikes the idea of losing one of their adult teeth, it makes sense that most children hate dental extractions, even with the best pediatric oral surgery in Honolulu, walking them through everything step by step.
Because dental extractions are invasive, we dentists aim to avoid them as much as possible. However, in certain situations, the only way to restore your child’s health is by removing an infected or crowded tooth, and here we’ll cover the steps of this procedure in detail.
Understanding Tooth Extractions
Dental extractions are a common dental procedure that involves removing one or more teeth. Both dentists and oral surgeons can successfully perform dental extractions.
Moreover, we classify extractions into two types:
- Simple extractions: These involve taking out teeth that are readily accessible and visible. They can be performed using only local anesthesia and an elevator tool.
- Surgical extractions: These require a more intricate surgical technique. In addition to local anesthesia, they may require general anesthesia or conscious sedation.
Reasons Why a Dental Extraction May Be Necessary
Unknown to many, dental extractions are very common in pediatric dentistry. Several factors, such as decay, damage, impaction, or infection, may make an extraction necessary.
Additionally, both primary and adult teeth could be extracted. Some factors that call for this procedure include:
Tooth Decay and Dental Damage
Tooth decay is one of the main causes of tooth extractions. When a tooth is badly decayed and cannot be restored with a dental filling or crown, extractions are the only solution to keep the infection from spreading. Moreover, it allows us to explore restoration techniques, like a bridge, to restore your child’s smile.
Furthermore, teeth that have sustained significant damage from wear and tear or fractures may need to be extracted when restoration is impractical.
Overcrowded Teeth
Sometimes, there’s not enough space in a child’s jaw for all their teeth to develop properly. As these can’t align straightly, their teeth start to come out and position themselves in strange positions, leading to a misaligned smile. In these cases, a dental extraction is necessary to make room for all the teeth.
Afterward, an orthodontic treatment is often necessary to restore the alignment of the bite.
Leftover Primary Teeth
A scenario can happen where a child’s primary tooth doesn’t fall out—even if the permanent one is under the gums, ready to emerge. In these cases, the tooth may come out shifted or in strange positions after trying to accommodate its available space.
Extracting the primary tooth is the best course of action to prevent this.
Injuries and Trauma
Teeth can occasionally sustain irreversible damage from accidents and injuries. In these situations, extraction is required to stop infection, reduce discomfort, and preserve general oral health.
Still, dentists must carefully assess the extent of the injury before deciding how best to proceed with extraction.
Wisdom Teeth Issues
Usually appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood, wisdom teeth can frequently cause issues. Their position at the back of the mouth may cause them to become impacted, which prevents them from fully emerging from the gum line. This can cause infection, pain, and harm to the surrounding teeth over time.
To prevent that, wisdom teeth are often removed.
Gum Inflammation
Gum disease is a condition in which the gums become inflamed due to bacteria accumulation. Over time, the gums start to recede, harming the tissues that support teeth.
In extreme situations, gum inflammation can cause tooth mobility and loss of jawbone attachment, which calls for tooth extraction if non-surgical measures do not work. However, this case is not very common among children.
Cases When a Dental Extraction Is Not Necessary
While dental extractions can be necessary in extreme cases, as long as possible, they should be avoided. After all, no dental restoration will be as long-lasting and healthy as your child’s natural teeth.
Some cases that don’t call for an extraction include:
Primary Teeth with Manageable Decay
If the cavity isn’t too extensive, or alternative methods for removing it can still be explored, the decay should be treated without extracting the tooth. Treatments like fillings or crowns should always be considered before extractions.
As long as the damaged tooth has enough structure to support a restoration, it can still be saved, ensuring your child’s smile remains healthy for years.
No Signs of Irreversible Pulpitis or Abscess
An extraction may not be necessary if a tooth exhibits no signs of a serious infection, such as swelling, pus drainage, or radiographic evidence of pulpal exposure.
When Space Maintenance Is Crucial
Primary teeth that don’t fall out in time can cause misalignment problems, so extracting one too early is dangerous for your child’s smile. The role of baby teeth is to hold the space needed for the adult teeth to come.
For that reason, if a primary tooth is extracted too early, the surrounding ones could shift toward the available space, leaving no room for the tooth to come. This can cause malocclusion or crowding issues.
Behavioral or Medical Contraindications
In situations where sedation or general anesthesia presents risks, non-extraction techniques might be preferred because some kids may not handle invasive procedures well.
How to Prepare Your Child for a Dental Extraction
Dental extractions aren’t easy for anyone. Not for your child, terrified of the idea of pain, nor for you, terrified of picturing them suffering. However, in cases when extractions become a must, here are some things you can do to ease their anxiety and ensure a smoother experience.
- Explain the Procedure Beforehand: Use simple and positive language so that they know what to expect and don’t feel overwhelmed.
- Practice Relaxation Techniques: If they’re too shaky, practice deep breathing exercises with them. Another option is having them bring a comfort item (like a stuffed animal) that can bring support during the appointment.
- Plan a Reward: To give them something to look forward to after the visit, offer a small treat (like a favorite meal or an activity). Praise them for being brave and remind them their new tooth will come in soon (if it was a baby tooth).
- Follow Aftercare Instructions: After extractions, follow the dentist’s dietary restrictions. Offer soft foods (applesauce, yogurt, soup) and avoid straws to prevent a dry socket. Additionally, give them a cold compress for swelling if needed.
Find a Qualified Dentist for Your Child’s Pediatric Oral Surgery in Honolulu
Dental extractions may seem scary—but they can be the procedure your child needs to restore the health of their smile. Nevertheless, visiting the dentist regularly can prevent extreme solutions like these.
Visiting Kidshine Pediatric Dental Group every six months allows us to assess their teeth and gums, check how their second set of teeth is emerging, and address any issue before it becomes too serious. If your child is due for a dental appointment, contact us today!