Tooth Extractions

At Milestones Pediatric Dentistry, we work with you and your child to preserve the health and well-being of your child's growing smile. However, there are times when extensive dental decay goes beyond the scope of traditional restorative treatment, thus requiring a tooth extraction. Depending on your child's dental development and the location of the extracted tooth, Dr. Roshan may recommend a space maintainer to minimize space loss.

Why Would Your Child Need a Tooth Extraction?

An extraction may be necessary due to non-restorable tooth damage, a severe tooth infection or abscess, or if baby teeth are preventing permanent teeth from coming in. In some cases, we perform selective tooth extractions to make room for the permanent teeth to move into alignment as a component of a comprehensive and collaborative orthodontic treatment plan.

What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?

At Milestones Pediatric Dentistry, our top priority is your child's comfort during dental treatment, including tooth extraction procedures. Dr. Roshan may administer a sedative, if needed, to help your child relax. He will also numb the area with a local anesthetic. Once the procedure is completed, Dr. Roshan and his team will provide post-operative instructions. Most of our young patients experience minimal to no discomfort after the procedure and can resume their normal activities the following day.

What Is a Space Maintainer?

A space maintainer is a custom-fit orthodontic device that preserves the space left by a missing baby tooth. By maintaining this space, we are allowing room for the incoming permanent tooth and helping guide it into the correct position. Moreover, a space maintainer will prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting or tilting into the gap, mitigating further orthodontic problems in the future.

Healthy Habits for Long-Term Oral Health

The best way to prevent damage to your child's teeth leading to extraction is to play an active role in your child's oral hygiene, managing their diet to avoid added sugars, and keeping up with their dental check-up appointments. In addition, if your child is involved in contact sports, a sports mouthguard can reduce the risk of sports-related dental injuries.

Don't forget to visit Milestones Pediatric Dentistry for your child's routine dental exams and cleanings at least every six months. That will allow us to detect any problems early on, preventing the need for complex treatments and tooth extractions down the road.