DENTAL EXTRACTIONS IN TORREY HIGHLANDS

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WHAT IS A TOOTH EXTRACTION?

A tooth extraction is the removal of one of your child’s baby teeth. This procedure is typically recommended after a child’s tooth becomes damaged due to an injury or severe tooth decay. If your child is set to undergo orthodontic treatment or has incoming adult teeth that need room to erupt, a tooth extraction may be the right treatment for their smile. Schedule an appointment at Sunray Pediatric Dentistry!

cavities.

DID YOU KNOW…

Over half of tooth extractions for children ages 3 to 13 are due to cavities.

ready to schedule your child’s appointment?

DID YOU KNOW…

cavities.

Over half of tooth extractions for children ages 3 to 13 are due to cavities.

ready to schedule your child’s appointment?

HOW IT WORKS: THE TOOTH EXTRACTION PROCESS

injection

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

To perform a simple extraction, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area and the surrounding nerves. This will ensure that your child feels no pain or discomfort during the procedure.

tooth

SEDATION OPTIONS

If your child’s tooth is embedded or partially covered by the jaw bone, a surgical extraction will be necessary. If indicated, we will offer sedation for this treatment to keep your child comfortable, relaxed, and anxiety-free during their procedure.

Removing

LOOSENING & REMOVING THE TOOTH

Your dentist will gently loosen the tooth in the socket using special dental instruments. When it has been loosened sufficiently, they will pull it out with a pair of dental forceps.

TYPES OF TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

BASIC EXTRACTIONS

Basic extractions are typically used for teeth that have been damaged by oral injuries, gum disease, or tooth decay. We will always try to save your tooth first, but sometimes extraction may be necessary.

For example, if a tooth is severely infected, it may not be possible to save it with a root canal. Instead, your dentist may recommend an extraction. Restorative treatment, like a dental implant, a dental bridge, or a partial denture, can be used to replace your missing tooth.

Often, a space maintainer (a type of intraoral appliance) may be indicated after the removal of a baby tooth to preserve the space for the permanent tooth that will erupt in this location in the future.

WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, and are a natural part of our mouths. However, they grow in much later than the rest of our teeth, usually between the ages of 17-25. Because of this, many people do not have enough space in their mouths for wisdom teeth.

That means that the wisdom teeth can cause issues with your other teeth when they begin to erupt. They may cause your other teeth to shift and become misaligned, or they may become impacted and get infected. Wisdom teeth tend to cause discomfort, which is why most people choose to have them extracted when they begin to emerge.

IMPACTED WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Impacted wisdom teeth are one of the most common complications related to wisdom tooth eruption. When your wisdom tooth is “impacted,” this means that it is positioned unfavorably and is unlikely to erupt completely or at all from your gums.

Impacted wisdom teeth can also affect the position and health of the adjacent teeth, particularly if they’re growing in crooked. In addition, these partially erupted teeth can catch food debris and bacteria, leading to a higher risk of a tooth abscess or infection. Because they have not fully erupted, most impacted wisdom teeth must be removed surgically.

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

Dr. Hall will work with you and your child to decide the best options for anesthesia. If your child is especially nervous about needles, he may offer sedation methods that can help curb their fears.

LOOSENING AND REMOVING THE TOOTH

With the use of anesthetics, there should be no pain at all. It will only be felt as a bit of pressure and movement in the mouth.

CLEANING AND NECESSARY SUTURES

These sutures require no removal and should dissolve over a couple of weeks.

extraction

DID YOU KNOW…

An extraction may be necessary for orthodontic reasons like overcrowding.

Think Your child May Need An Extraction?

DID YOU KNOW…

extraction

An extraction may be necessary fororthodontic reasons like overcrowding.

Think Your child May Need An Extraction?

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S TOOTH EXTRACTION? FIND ANSWERS HERE.

After the extraction procedure, your child may experience some minor swelling and discomfort for a few days. By applying cold compresses to the face for 20 minutes at a time, swelling and pain symptoms will subside. If your child continues to have severe reactions or symptoms, do not hesitate to call our office immediately.

It’s perfectly normal for a little bleeding to occur after an extraction. The gums will soon form a blood clot within the socket and begin the natural healing process. It is very important to keep the protective clot securely in place. This will prevent a painful “dry socket” condition from forming, which occurs when the clot is dislodged and the underlying bone is exposed.
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To protect the clot, avoid cleaning the area for the first 24 hours. Then rinse with salt water to sanitize the site and reduce pain. Tylenol, ibuprofen, and ice packs on the outside of the jaw can alleviate any pain and swelling. If your child experiences excessive swelling, shows signs of an infection, or gets a fever, contact your dentist right away.
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Make sure your child avoids hard crunchy foods for at least a week and opts for softer foods instead after the extraction. Help your child avoid creating oral pressure by sucking, swishing, spitting, slurping, or using straws. This will ensure the protective clot stays intact and bacteria-free. In addition, encourage your child to drink plenty of water to keep their mouth as clean as possible.

Usually. Tooth extractions that are required to remove damaged or decayed teeth are typically covered by insurance. However, we recommend that you contact your insurance provider and work with them to fully understand your coverage and benefits.

  • Numbing and sedation – To begin the dental extraction procedure, Dr. Daniel Hall will use numbing spray and a needle to numb the area. He can also provide dental sedation to keep your child feeling safe and comfortable throughout their extraction.
  • Cleaning the area – The extraction site will be cleaned to ensure it’s free of bacteria. This minimizes the risk of infections and other complications.
  • Basic extraction – If the tooth has fully erupted, Dr. Hall will use special tools to loosen it in the socket, and then pull it out with dental forceps. This usually only takes a few minutes.
  • Surgical extraction – If the tooth hasn’t fully erupted (such as an impacted wisdom tooth), an opening will be made in the gums near the tooth. Then, the tooth will be cut into small pieces and extracted piece-by-piece through this opening.
  • Suturing & disinfecting the site – Once the procedure is over, Dr. Hall will gently clean and disinfect the site, then suture the socket shut to ensure it heals properly. This process will be repeated if your child is having multiple teeth replaced.
  • Healing & recovery – Your child will be sent home to heal and recover. We’ll give you and your child a set of instructions to follow to ensure their mouth heals properly, so make sure to read them thoroughly.

Your child will not be in any pain at all during their extraction appointment. With numbing and sedation, they will not feel a thing, and they will be able to relax, and stay comfortable throughout their procedure.

However, some pain can be expected after their numbing and sedation wear off, since a tooth extraction is an invasive surgical procedure. The best way to handle this pain is to follow Dr. Hall’s postsurgical recovery instructions.

Your child’s pain will usually peak and begin to fade within 24-48 hours as their mouth heals. To deal with the pain, you can take a few different steps.

Applying an ice pack to the cheek can help numb the area, and over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help with pain and inflammation. Salt water rinses are also helpful for soothing the extraction site.

If your child continues to experience serious pain for longer than 3 days, contact us for a follow-up at Sunray Pediatric Dentistry. They may have a complication such as “dry socket,” which can cause pain and interfere with the healing process.

Don’t panic if sutures seem to stick around–sometimes it can take over a couple of weeks for them to dissolve. The teeth that are not directly at the wound site may be brushed normally the following day, and regular brushing may commence after 3 to 4 days, once your child is comfortable. If you have any questions about the healing process, don’t hesitate to call our office.
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If your child was under sedation, you may notice some drowsiness or crankiness present for the next 24 hours. Don’t schedule any activities that require physical or mental activity the day of extraction. Allow them to rest as much or as little as they need, and encourage quiet activities. They should feel completely normal the next day (albeit with some possible soreness at the extraction site).
family

DID YOU KNOW…

Most patients can return to school within 2–3 days following an extraction.

Ready for your child’s next dental appointment?

DID YOU KNOW…

family

Most patients can return to school within 2–3 days following an extraction.

Ready for your child’s next dental appointment?

There’s a Horizon of Smiles Ahead

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Phone

Call: (858) 215-2485
Text: (858) 282-0085
Fax: (858) 905 3385

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13350 Camino Del Sur
Suite 3B
San Diego, CA 92129

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