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Dr. Hammond may determine your child needs a tooth extraction. This happens for a variety of reasons, including:
In some cases, tooth extraction can lead to specific problems, so your pediatric
dentist should discuss alternatives (if possible) and replacement options.
For the extraction of a baby tooth, the procedure is quite straightforward. A simple extraction generally only requires the tooth to be numbed with a topical gel and local anesthetic. For more complex extractions, minimal sedation may be recommended.
For the extraction of a permanent tooth, the tooth, jaw bone and surrounding gum area will be numbed. If the tooth is too firmly anchored to the socket, it may require “sectioning”. This means the tooth will be cut into sections and removed piece by piece. Nitrous oxide is usually recommended for the extraction of a permanent tooth, but minimal sedation or even referral to an oral surgeon may be necessary.
After the extraction procedure, a blood clot needs to form to stop bleeding and begin the healing process. Your dentist will most likely have your child bite on a gauze pad for 20 to 30 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If bleeding continues for more than two hours, contact the dentist.
After the clot forms, it’s important to not dislodge the clot. This means:
If your child experiences pain or swelling, use an ice pack and administer medicine as instructed. If severe pain, swelling and/or fever persists for more than two days, call our office immediately.
For pain management, based on child’s age and weight, administer a half dose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) combined with a half dose of Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every four to six hours as needed for the next 48 hours. If minor pain persists, you can continue administering either Tylenol or Motrin as directed.
