Tooth extraction, also known as Dental Extraction, is one of the common pediatric dentistry procedures for children that includes the removal of a primary tooth from the socket in the alveolar bone.
At most times, children lose their milk teeth naturally which helps the permanent teeth to come out their own. However, in some cases, external help is required to take out primary teeth since it’s not happening naturally or when they are badly decayed or are damaged due to external factors. In such cases, tooth extraction becomes necessary.
At Pandit Clinic, we do not suggest tooth extraction until and unless it is the only solution to the dental problems your child is facing. Tooth extraction is something even adults dread. So, it is only natural for children to be scared of it. Dr. Pratibha Kukreja-Pandit of Pandit Clinic understands children’s psychology and the fear they may feel when a tooth is going to be extracted. She makes them comfortable and keeps their anxiety at bay with her positive and child-friendly nature.
What are The Causes of Tooth Extraction for Children?
Dr. Pratibha Kukreja-Pandit, Pediatric dentist at Pandit Clinic, has listed down why and when children need a tooth extraction:
Untreatable Tooth Decay: Baby teeth or primary teeth are more prone to decay as children do not regularly follow dental health practices. Also, enamel on baby teeth or primary teeth is thinner; hence, more prone to cavities and decay. Tooth extraction becomes necessary only when the teeth are badly decayed to the point where they cannot be restored. After the tooth/teeth are extracted, they are replaced with a space maintainer until the adult tooth grows in that space.
Trauma to teeth: Primary teeth can get chipped, cracked, damaged, or completely detached from the socket due to the injury or trauma from an accident or fall. Other treatments may help in such cases to restore the teeth but depending upon the severity of the damage and if they are beyond repair, extraction is recommended.
Over-Retained Baby Tooth: Sometimes primary teeth do not fall out naturally and remain in their places for far too long. In such cases, permanent teeth can start crowding due to lack of space. This may lead to misaligned teeth, a need for braces, or other orthodontic treatments. Therefore, to avoid these problems and further complications, kids dentists recommend a tooth extraction.
For Orthodontic (Braces) Treatment: In some cases, extraction of a tooth helps to reduce crowding and helps your dentist/ orthodontist to carry out necessary treatments or procedures like straightening neighboring teeth or aligning misaligned teeth.
How To Prepare Your Child For Tooth Extraction?
- Work With An Expert: Tooth extraction in children differs from a tooth extraction in adults in several areas. As the child is still growing, the process is more technique sensitive, the pain threshold will be lower, and the child will be scared of the procedure. Hence, the doctor needs to have the expertise and experience in expertly handling children, understanding their psychology and reducing their fears and stress, provide the guidance they need, and give quality care they need.
- Educate Your Child: Tooth extraction can turn into a painful and traumatic experience for your child if he/she isn’t mentally prepared for it, familiar with the cause, actual procedure and details of it, and benefits of getting tooth extraction. Therefore, it is necessary to educate your child and be transparent about what to expect and what is going to happen to make the overall experience easier for him/her.
- Be Prepared: It is important that you have all the necessary information regarding preparation, recovery, risks, and other such aspects of the procedure beforehand. Consult your doctor, resolve all your doubts, and ask for specific tips & suggestions to go through the procedure prepared and speedy recovery.
How Tooth Extraction Is Performed?
- X-Ray: Before the procedure, an x-ray will be taken of your child’s teeth and mouth. This shows the positions of teeth roots, surrounding bone structures and helps the doctor to analyze the overall situation and predict risks and complications that may occur.
- Anesthesia: For primary tooth extraction, local anesthesia is administered before the actual procedure to numb the area. Due to this, the child does not feel any pain and the procedure gets carried out safely and smoothly. In cases of children with fear of needles or high anxiety levels, sedatives may be combined with anesthesia or some doctors even may offer general anesthesia.
- Removal: After the anesthesia is administered, the tooth is removed with the help of tools and instruments without damaging the surrounding bone structure.
- Stitches: After extraction, the tooth socket is covered with sterile gauze, and pressure is applied for about 20 minutes. Stitches may also be necessary in some cases. Depending upon the situation, the space maintainer may also be used to ensure that the child’s adult or permanent teeth grow correctly.
At Pandit Clinic, tooth extractions are not painful for the kids. They may experience slight discomfort after the procedure, but it will fade away soon. We recommend a diet of soft, cold, and non-spicy food for 2-3 days once the extraction is done. Dr. Pratibha will provide specific tips and suggestions post-procedure for a safe and speedy recovery. Make sure to follow the same.
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Your virtual video consultation includes:
- Discussion of problems that your child is facing like tooth pain, swelling or any other emergencies
- Dr. Pratibha will recommend a course of treatment or medications for your child.
Dr. Pratibha Kukreja Pandit
BDS, MDSMeet the Doctor
Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry Specialist
Dr. Pratibha is the Chief Dentist at Pandit Clinic. She is also a Consultant Pediatric Dentist at Kotbagi Hospital and KEM Hospital, Pune.
Dr. Pratibha has trained at the prestigious Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, in advanced areas including Pediatric dental treatment under General Anesthesia and Intravenous sedation, Dental Rehabilitation of children with special health care needs, and Nasoalveolar molding and dental rehabilitation of cleft lip and cleft palate.
She’s the lifetime member of Student Clinician Association, American Dental Association (SCADA), USA.
Professional Affiliations and Skills
- Trained in Pediatric dental treatment under General Anesthesia and Intravenous sedation at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan
- Trained in Dental Rehabilitation of children with special health care needs at CGMH, Taiwan
- Trained in Nasoalveolar molding and dental rehabilitation of Cleft lip and Cleft Palate at craniofacial centre, CGMH, Taiwan
- Awarded Lifetime membership, SCADA (Student Clinician Association, American Dental Association), USA.
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