Tooth Extractions – Homewood, AL
A Safe & Gentle Way to Remove Hurting Teeth
For children, a natural part of growing up is losing all of their primary teeth. However, no one ever really expects a child to have their primary removed by a dentist. In cases of severe damage or infection, that’s often the best course of action to preserve the health of your little one’s smile. At Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry, our dentists will do everything possible to salvage your child’s natural tooth. But if a tooth extraction in Homewood is the best solution, they’ll make sure the process is safe, comfortable, and nothing to be afraid of! If you’d like to learn more about tooth extractions, continue reading or make an appointment with Dr. Rohner today!
Reasons Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why tooth extractions in Homewood are necessary. It’s always preferable to keep as much of the natural tooth structure as possible, but there are some cases where its removal is ideal. Dr. Rohner may recommend that your child get a tooth extraction for many reasons, including:
- A tooth that’s severely damaged or decayed to the point no other treatment can restore it
- Required to help orthodontic treatment and maintain the results
- Their baby tooth won’t fall out on its own
- Prevent infections and other oral health problems from spreading to other parts of the body
The Process of Removing a Tooth
Hearing your dentist say that your child needs a tooth pulled can be anxiety-inducing. But rest assured – the process is very straightforward and much less involved than a standard tooth extraction in adults!
A simple extraction usually only requires a local anesthetic. Dr. Rohner will elevate the tooth out of its socket, then use forceps to grasp it and gently wiggle it out of place, separating it from any connective tissues that are attached to the jawbone.
On the other hand, a more complex extraction may require the removal of gum tissue near the tooth to make the process easier. For this type of procedure, your child may need sedation dentistry. It’s a safe and extremely common option that’ll relax them during extensive dental procedures.
After the extraction, Dr. Rohner will discuss your next steps. If a baby tooth was removed, she may recommend that your child get a prosthetic tooth to ensure the permanent one comes in correctly. However, if the permanent tooth is not far off from coming in, a prosthetic tooth will not be needed.
Tooth Extraction Aftercare
Following an extraction, it’s completely normal to have a bit of bleeding from the site. Make sure you remind your child (and yourself!) that it’s nothing to be concerned about! Dr. Rohner will apply sterile gauze to the affected area after the tooth is removed to manage the bleeding. In some cases, a few stitches may be needed to help the extraction site heal. It’s incredibly important to leave the forming blood clot untouched to avoid dry socket, which is a painful condition.
Here are some tooth extraction aftercare tips to keep in mind:
- Don’t allow your child to rinse their mouth for the first 24 hours. Afterward, encourage them to rinse with warm salt water two to three times a day to keep their mouth clean.
- Give your child prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed to alleviate discomfort.
- Have your child ice the outside of their jaw to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Make sure your child sticks to a soft-food diet for at least a week.
- Encourage your little one to drink plenty of water.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
A tooth extraction is never the first choice of a dentist, but sometimes it is necessary in order to preserve the oral health of your child and prevent future issues. You may be wondering how much you can expect the procedure to cost, and that varies on several different factors. Here are some things that you should be taking into consideration.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
It’s very difficult to determine the cost of a tooth extraction until we’ve completed a thorough examination of your child’s mouth. Here are a few factors that need to be considered:
- Number of Teeth: The more teeth that your child needs to have extracted, the higher the cost generally is.
- Location of Teeth: The type (baby tooth vs. adult tooth) and location of the tooth will influence the cost of the procedure.
- Complexity: Some cases are more complex than others. For instance, an impacted tooth extraction tends to cost more than a simple extraction.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
It’s common for dental insurance to cover approximately half of the cost of tooth extractions once the deductible has been met. However, there are sometimes limits in place to cover only up to a certain number of teeth, or a waiting period before your coverage will actually kick in. Because every plan is different, it’s a good idea to check in with your insurance provider ahead of time. No one wants to deal with surprises on their bill. We are in-network with multiple popular dental insurance plans. We are also happy to file all dental insurances as a courtesy to our patients.
To find out exactly how much your child’s tooth extraction will cost, schedule an appointment with us. We’re eager to keep your child’s growing smile healthy and happy!
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does your child need to have a tooth extracted? You may still have some unanswered questions, so we’re here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common queries we receive about tooth extractions in Homewood. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’d be happy to walk you through the process and schedule your child for an appointment.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
When recovering from a tooth extraction, there is a long list of aftercare instructions to ensure that your child’s smile heals with ease. In addition to getting plenty of rest, one of the most important aspects of a smooth recovery is caring for the blood clot that forms in the socket where the tooth used to be. Neglecting to do so can cause complications. It is also important that your child keeps their smile clean to minimize the risk of infection. Other great practices include changing gauze as necessary, using a cold compress, sticking to soft foods, and taking recommended over-the-counter and prescribed medications as directed.
How Should My Child Prepare for Their Tooth Extraction?
Preparing for a tooth extraction is just as important as following all of the aftercare instructions. If you or your child have any questions about their upcoming procedure, ask the dentist ahead of time. If your child’s dentist has any specific instructions, like only drinking water the morning of or picking up prescription medication, do so beforehand.
What Risks Are Involved with Tooth Extractions?
Fortunately, modern tooth extractions are considered to be extremely safe. With that being said, any dental procedure comes with some risks. With tooth extractions, the primary one is infection, which can spread if it isn’t handled right away. Another risk is dry socket, which can be painful and delay the recovery process. To prevent these from happening, ensure that you and your child are closely following the aftercare instructions provided. If you notice any signs of infection, give us a call.
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
Many children are nervous about their procedure because they are worried that it will be painful. Fortunately, the first step is always numbing the area. While the extraction itself shouldn’t be uncomfortable, some soreness is to be expected following the treatment. This can be managed with recommended over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers, as well as cold compresses. If discomfort worsens instead of improving, give us a call.