When a child needs a tooth pulled, it can be frightening for them. They don’t know what to expect and if pain and blood will be involved. At Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry, we are mindful of the fear that can be associated with this procedure. Our staff will be sensitive and give your child gentle care.
Why Does My Child’s Tooth Need an Extraction
- Too much crowding and there is not adequate room for all their teeth.
- A tooth is infected and causing your child pain.
- A tooth has been injured and there is not enough tooth structure remaining to save the tooth.
- A baby tooth that won’t fall out on its own and causing your child discomfort.
Space Maintainer for Your Child’s Mouth
Occasionally, when a tooth is extracted we need to put a space maintainer in your child’s mouth. When the natural tooth was in the mouth, it helped keep the teeth next to it where they belonged. Once the tooth was removed the teeth next to the extracted tooth have a tendency of shifting into the space where the extracted tooth had been. This creates a problem because there is an adult tooth under that baby tooth that will eventually need to grow into the space where the baby tooth was located. If the remaining teeth have shifted there may not be adequate space for the adult tooth to grow in. If this occurs, it creates a need for orthodontics (braces) to open the space back up. Generally, if a space maintainer is recommended, it is to help reduce the amount of space loss that can occur when a tooth is extracted.
Call our Farmington or Pleasant View location if you would like to schedule an appointment or get more information regarding extractions or space maintainers.