Here at our Financial District pediatric dental practice, our goal is to care for and preserve your child’s teeth. However, there are times when tooth extraction is necessary, due to decay or trauma; impacted wisdom teeth; a baby tooth that needs to be removed so the permanent tooth can emerge; or removal of teeth in order to start orthodontic treatment.
Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Dikansky, is experienced at dental extraction in children of all ages. Her skill and experience, coupled with a variety of anesthetic options, makes tooth extraction a fairly routine procedure. Although a front tooth with its single straight root may be easier to remove than an impacted wisdom tooth, which is located below the gum line, tooth extraction is not something to be feared when performed by an experienced dentist
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
It’s important to remove impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible to prevent damage or crowding of neighboring teeth as well as injury to the jawbone and gums.
Orthodontic Treatment
If your child has very large teeth or too many teeth to fit into his or her mouth without overcrowding, one or more teeth can be removed to allow the remaining teeth to be moved into better alignment.
Trauma or Decay
While Dr. Dikansky will always try to save a tooth through a root canal and/or crown, it may not always be possible. If a tooth has been significantly broken or chipped, it may be preferable, for your child’s health and appearance, for that tooth to be removed and replaced with a dental implant.
Baby Teeth
Most baby teeth fall out when enough pressure is exerted from the emerging permanent tooth to loosen the baby tooth. However, sometimes a baby tooth is slightly out of position and cannot be loosened by the permanent tooth beneath it. In these cases, Dr. Dikansky may elect to remove the baby tooth.
Prior to extraction, Dr. Dikansky will review your child’s medical history with you, along with any drug allergies or interactions that you may be aware of. She will also review the options for anesthesia, which include local, local plus sedation or conscious sedation. She will then take digital x-rays to confirm the position of the tooth roots and surrounding bone. Once dental anesthesia has been given, the tooth is carefully removed.
Some children experience discomfort and swelling after tooth extraction. Applying cold packs and giving your child ibuprofen can lessen the discomfort and the swelling. Dr. Dikansky may also have prescribed antibiotics and/or stronger pain medication if she believes it appropriate. Most children feel back to normal within a few days.
If your child needs the services of a pediatric dentist in downtown Manhattan for routine care, trauma or tooth extraction, please call us at 212-267-0029 to schedule your child’s appointment.
