Chicago Dentist Explains Dental Extractions

Dental extractions are procedures where a tooth is removed from the mouth. It is common for children to have a tooth pulled if there is extensive damage to the tooth caused by a cavity, trauma to the teeth, or if you need to make room for future orthodontic treatment, such as braces. Our Chicago dentist explains more below.

Is An Extraction Necessary?

An extraction may be necessary if your child has excessive tooth decay that cannot be treated with other methods, such as fillings or crowns. Other reasons for extractions include:

• Baby teeth that do not fall out
• Preparation for braces or other orthodontic treatment
• Broken or extremely chipped teeth
• Tooth impaction

Our dentist can help identify if your child would benefit from a tooth extraction.

Types of Extractions

There are two types of dental extractions: surgical extractions and simple extractions. With a simple extraction, our dentist uses a pair of forceps to remove a visible tooth. However, if the tooth is not visible (under the gum) and is causing problems, surgical extraction is necessary. This method is more invasive and involves cutting into the gum to remove the tooth. Surgical extractions are generally done when teeth are impacted (growing in horizontally), or space needs to be made for future orthodontic treatment.

Procedure & Aftercare

The procedures differ for each type of extraction. For a simple extraction, usually only local anesthetic is needed. Numbness will persist for a couple hours after the extraction, so make sure that your child is careful when eating or drinking.

For a surgical extraction, local anesthetic is used. However, general anesthetic can be used so your child sleeps through the procedure. After the extraction, pain can be managed with ibuprofen. Limit eating and drinking to soft foods, such as apple sauce and yogurt, to promote faster healing.

Call Our Chicago Dentist Today To Find Out More!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry, feel free to contact Dente Complete Dentistry, with a convenient dental office in Chicago, IL, by calling 773.295.0562 or by clicking here.