Tooth Extractions – Papillion, NE
Preserving Healthy Smiles with Tooth Extractions
In order to ride the wave to good oral health, sometimes children may require a tooth extraction. While our team does everything we possibly can to ensure that children save their natural smiles, in some cases, it may be necessary to remove a severely damaged or decayed tooth. We may also recommend tooth extractions in our Papillion, NE dental office to create room for the permanent to erupt. If your child is experiencing severe toothaches or chronic oral discomfort, contact our dental office today for an emergency examination.
Why Choose Surf's Up Pediatric Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
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Dental Sedation That’s
Safe for Children -
We Accept Dental
Insurance & Medicaid -
Surf-Themed Pediatric
Dental Office
Reasons for Kids’ Tooth Extractions
We only suggest removing a child’s tooth if it poses a threat to their oral health. Some of the situations in which we may suggest this treatment include:
- A severly broken or decayed tooth
- A tooth has sustained severe damage that can’t be treated
- Overcrowded teeth
The Tooth Extraction Process
The tooth extraction process is relatively straight-forward, and to ensure your child remains comfortable, we’ll administer a local anesthetic or sedation. First, we’ll lift the tooth out of its socket using an elevator. Then, using dental forceps, Dr. Bryce will gently wiggle the tooth free of any connective tissues that may be attached to the roots and pack the extraction site with gauze to help the blood clot. Before you leave, we’ll provide you with instructions on how to take care of your child’s smile as they’re recovering.
Aftercare for Your Child’s Tooth Extraction
Here are some aftercare tips that we recommend to help your little one make a speedy recovery:
- Don’t let them drink from a straw as their gums heal.
- Change the gauze as needed.
- Use a cold compress to control any swelling that occurs.
- Feed them a soft diet that’s high in protein.
- Keep them hydrated with water.
- Don't allow them to bite or suck on their numb lip.
- Don't stress! Things will heal in a few days.
If you have any concerns or questions, give our dental office a call immediately.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
The cost of your child’s tooth extraction is not something our team at Surf’s Up Pediatric Dentistry can determine until we have a chance to examine their smile. Several factors must be considered before we can create a cost estimate for you to review. Although it is rare that we would need to perform this type of procedure, you can entrust us to make your child’s safety and comfort our priorities while also keeping in mind your budget.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Cost
Your child’s teeth are different than another child’s, which is why a thorough examination is required. During this visit, you can expect our team to evaluate the following when considering the cost of care:
- How good is your child’s oral health?
- Do they have additional issues that need to be treated in addition to tooth extraction (i.e., gum disease, additional decay, etc.)?
- The type of extraction we will need to perform.
- The type of tooth we must remove and its location.
- The kind of replacement we will use (if necessary).
The way we handle tooth extraction is largely based on whether it is a primary or adult tooth. Since permanent teeth require replacement (apart from wisdom teeth), we will need to add this component to the treatment plan and cost estimate should one of your child’s adult teeth need to be extracted.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
Each dental insurance plan is different, but the good news is that most policies abide by the 100-80-50 breakdown. This means that there is a good chance your insurance company will agree to pay for a portion of your child’s tooth extraction. Since many view this type of procedure as a major service, it’s possible that up to 50% of the total cost will be paid for by your insurer. Of course, you’ll need to have met your deductible beforehand.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
At Surf’s Up Pediatric Dentistry, we are pleased to also accept flexible financing through CareCredit. This third-party financier makes it easy to enroll so that you can remain within budget while helping your child work toward a healthier smile. With low-interest and no-interest plans available, you can avoid additional surprise fees and pay off your child’s procedure over time. This is a welcome reality if the idea of paying for everything upfront, all at once, is simply not feasible.
Tooth Extractions FAQs
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
Tooth extractions typically involve minimal pain due to local anesthesia, which numbs the area around the tooth. During the procedure, your child may feel pressure, but not sharp pain.
After the extraction, some discomfort is normal as the anesthesia wears off. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, prescribed medications, and cold compresses. Swelling and tenderness might last for a few days, but following our post-operative care instructions will help minimize discomfort.
If the pain worsens or doesn't improve after a few days, contact us as it could indicate complications like infection or a dry socket.
What’s the Recovery for Tooth Extractions Like?
Recovery after a child’s tooth extraction is usually straightforward, but it requires some care to ensure proper healing. Right after the procedure, a gauze pad is placed over the extraction site to help stop any bleeding. Your child may experience some mild discomfort and swelling, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers (like acetaminophen) and cold compresses.
It’s important to keep your child from eating hard or hot foods for the first 24 hours, and soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, or applesauce are recommended. Encourage your child to avoid using straws or spitting forcefully, as this can disturb the healing clot.
The extraction site usually heals within a week. Maintain good oral hygiene, but avoid brushing the extraction area too vigorously. If there’s any unusual pain, swelling, or fever, contact us for a follow-up.
Is There an Alternative to a Tooth Extraction?
Tooth extraction is generally a last resort for pediatric dentists and is only recommended when no other suitable alternatives exist. In many cases, other methods can effectively treat an infected or damaged tooth. For example, a pulpotomy—a procedure that removes part of the tooth's pulp—can save a tooth if the roots are still healthy. Similarly, dental fillings can restore teeth affected by minor cavities, while crowns can protect more severely damaged teeth, avoiding extraction.
However, if we’ve let your child know that a tooth extraction is necessary to treat an infection, it’s likely that it the only method will work.
What Are My Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
For a child needing to replace a missing tooth, several options can help maintain proper oral function and alignment:
- Space Maintainers: These devices are often used to hold the space open for the permanent tooth to erupt. They prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into the gap.
- Dental Bridges: For children with multiple missing teeth, a dental bridge can be used to fill the gap. It involves anchoring a prosthetic tooth to adjacent healthy teeth.
- Partial Dentures: Removable partial dentures can replace one or several missing teeth. They are typically used for children who have lost multiple teeth.
The best option depends on the child's age, the number of missing teeth, and overall dental health. We will provide guidance on the most appropriate solution when we meet your child in person.