Tooth Extractions – Willow Park, TX
Remove Troublesome Teeth to Preserve Your Child’s Smile
Although our team makes every effort to protect and preserve your child’s natural teeth, if one is too decayed or damaged to be repaired, we may be unable to treat it effectively. If it remains in place, it can endanger their oral health because issues like cavities and gum disease can spread if left unaddressed. Thankfully, our team at Stroud Pediatric Dentistry can gently remove troublesome teeth to preserve your child’s smile.
Continue reading to learn more about this procedure, and feel free to contact us for more information.
Why Choose Stroud Pediatric Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
- Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Multiple Forms of Sedation for Patient Comfort
- Dental Insurance Welcomed
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
If you’ve just learned that your little loved one needs a tooth pulled, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s necessary. Rest assured; our team wouldn’t recommend it if we didn’t feel it was in your child’s best interests. There are several reasons teeth might need to be removed, including:
- If it’s severely damaged or decayed.
- To make room for orthodontic treatments and maintain the results.
- To ensure there’s enough room for a required restoration, like dentures.
- A baby tooth hasn’t fallen out to make room for a permanent one.
- It developed an infection, impaction, or abscess.
The Process of Removing a Tooth
It’s natural for you and your child to feel a bit nervous about their upcoming procedure, and knowing more about what to expect can provide some much-needed peace of mind. First, they’ll be numbed and/or sedated to ensure that they feel comfortable the entire time. Then, for simple extractions, one of our dentists will grasp the troublesome tooth with forceps and gently wiggle it until it detaches from the gums and can slip free. If a surgical extraction is necessary, our team may have to break apart the tooth to access it fully and pull it out in sections.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
We’ll provide detailed aftercare instructions to follow that can help your child recover as quickly as possible without developing complications. A blood clot must form over the site to protect the underlying bone tissues and nerves that have been exposed. If it’s damaged or dislodged, your child could develop a painful condition known as dry socket. To prevent it, we recommend:
- Take any pain medications or antibiotics exactly as prescribed.
- Rinse the mouth gently with salt water to clear away food particles and germs that could cause an infection.
- Do not drink out of straws because the force of suction can inure the blood clot.
- Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous exercise or activities that elevate their blood pressure and heart rate.
- Prop their head up on pillows to sleep.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
If it is decided that your child needs to undergo tooth extraction, you can count on our Stroud Pediatric Dentistry team to review the details pertaining to any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur. Considered a complex procedure for your child, we recognize the cost can add up, and it is why we will do our best to maximize your available dental insurance benefits as well as go over additional financing options so that you save the most money on your child’s upcoming treatment.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
The price of your child’s tooth extraction is unlikely to be the same as someone else’s, so determining the cost can only happen once our team has the chance to evaluate your little one’s case. Some of the most common factors we will consider when creating your cost estimate include:
- How many teeth your child will need to have removed
- The type of tooth or teeth that need to be extracted as well as where they’re located inside the mouth
- Whether they will require a simple extraction (the tooth is visible above the gumline) or a surgical procedure (the tooth is impacted and beneath the gumline)
- Whether your child will need a space maintainer to prevent potential drifting and orthodontic treatment in the future
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Most major dental insurance plans provide coverage for tooth extractions. As a major dental procedure, it’s possible that they’ll pay up to 50% of the total cost once you meet your deductible. Of course, they will also consider how much of the annual maximum remains before determining the exact amount they will cover. Speaking to an insurance representative or asking a member of our team to work on your behalf is important to better understand the details of your plan and how you can maximize your savings.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
At Stroud Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that not all patients and families have dental insurance, which is why we offer alternative payment options, like CareCredit. This third-party company makes it easy to choose a plan with little-to-no interest so that you can break up the cost of your child’s procedure into manageable monthly installments. With no surprise fees, you’ll be able to stress less when it comes to paying for treatment.
Tooth Extraction FAQs
Will My Child Feel Any Pain When Having a Tooth Extracted?
No, your child should not expect to feel any pain while having one or more teeth extracted. At Stroud Pediatric Dentistry, we ensure the safety and comfort of all children and will make sure your child remains relaxed and at ease from beginning to end. Before the start of the procedure, we will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and its surrounding area. This will prevent your child from feeling any discomfort. If necessary, we can also provide sedation to help minimize anxiety.
Although minimal pressure may be felt during the procedure, this will not cause any pain. After we finish the removal process, the anesthesia will eventually wear off, producing minor soreness. However, this can be managed with over-the-counter medicine.
Is There an Alternative to Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction in Willow Park is never our first recommendation, as we believe it is important for your child to keep their teeth as long as possible. If it’s a baby tooth, we want it to fall out naturally. If it’s a permanent tooth, we want it to remain in place for a lifetime. However, when no other option is sufficient to repair or restore your child’s smile, tooth removal may be the only viable solution.
We will always check to see if restorative treatment is possible, but if it is not, we’ll make sure your child remains completely comfortable throughout the removal process.
Can We Leave the Space Empty After Tooth Extraction?
If it’s a baby tooth that needs to be extracted, it may not be necessary to fill the space; however, this depends on how soon the permanent tooth is expected to erupt. If a primary tooth is removed too soon, a space maintainer may be required to prevent nearby teeth from shifting out of alignment.
If a permanent tooth is removed, it will be necessary to replace it to prevent dental drift. Our team will discuss the different options for tooth replacement with you and your child during a consultation. No matter how you choose to proceed, you can trust we will make sure your child’s smile remains healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
How Should I Help My Child Prepare for Their Tooth Extraction?
It’s best to always speak positively about the procedure and how it will benefit their oral health in the long run. Children can easily pick up on any apprehension or fear you might feel, so try to remain calm and collected when discussing the topic.
Before the procedure, you can expect our dentist in Willow Park to go over the process and answer any questions you or your child might have. We’ll also talk about what you should bring and when they should avoid any additional food or water.
It is helpful to go ahead and pick up any medications or prescriptions before surgery so that you don’t have to spend time waiting for it when it’s time to return home.