Removal of baby teeth

Extraction of baby teeth is used by dentists only in the most extreme cases, when the baby tooth can no longer be saved. The most common reason for parting with baby teeth is inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, when the periradicular tissues or the roots themselves are affected. A specialist may also recommend extracting a tooth in case of pulpitis, caries, or after a severe injury.

The natural replacement of baby teeth occurs at the age of six, in which case the resorption of the baby root begins, the tooth becomes loose and eventually falls out on its own. But sometimes there are cases when it is necessary to remove a baby tooth prematurely. Almost all dentists are against premature removal of baby teeth, even when they are severely affected by caries.

A baby tooth, from the day it erupts until the age of 12-13, performs various functions. In addition to aesthetics, they help to pronounce sounds correctly, to chew food (as is known, insufficiently well-chewed food leads to digestive problems), and the teeth also support the temporomandibular joint.

Children cannot sit with their mouths open for too long, so there are a number of difficulties during treatment. In some cases, root canal treatment is required, but due to the duration and aggressiveness of the procedure, many parents are against the treatment, which leads to complete destruction of the tooth and the need for extraction. As an option in this case, you can use anesthesia, but in childhood, using anesthesia, especially general, is quite harmful, so it should be used only in extreme cases.

The condition of baby teeth determines the future health of permanent teeth. But the need to remove teeth arises in case of severe inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, if there is a delay in the permanent tooth or vice versa, when a permanent tooth has erupted and the baby tooth has not yet fallen out, in case of severely neglected carious processes, tooth trauma, etc.

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Early removal of baby teeth

Early removal of baby teeth leads to the neighboring teeth starting to occupy the empty space. The natural process of replacing permanent teeth begins at about 5-6 years of age. Until then, each baby tooth holds a place in the dental row for a permanent tooth. If, for some reason, a tooth is removed prematurely, the process of permanent teeth eruption may be disrupted as a result. In this case, consultation and treatment by an orthodontist (a specialist in dental anomalies) will be required. A baby tooth is considered prematurely lost if more than a year remains before the permanent tooth appears. The void formed when a tooth is lost is filled with neighboring teeth - they gradually begin to move closer to each other. In this case, an incorrect bite may develop in the future.

The lack of chewing teeth leads to poor chewing of food, the absence of incisors - disrupts pronunciation. The absence of teeth leads to a decrease in the development of the jaw, which also threatens deformations of the dental arch. It is for this reason that children are recommended to keep their baby teeth as long as possible.

If tooth extraction is unavoidable, dentures can be used. Usually, dental plates with an inserted artificial tooth are used in this case. If many teeth are lost, for example due to injury, doctors recommend installing plastic or metal crowns. This is done to prevent displacement of the dental row, so that each permanent tooth grows in its place.

Nerve removal in a baby tooth

Near the root of the tooth is the pulp - a bundle of collected nerve endings, blood and lymphatic vessels. The pulp is popularly called the dental nerve. The reaction of the tooth to external stimuli (pain) is caused by the pulp. If the dental nerve is removed, the blood supply and mineralization of the tooth will be stopped. The tooth "dies", loses resistance to the effects of external factors. Quite often, the tooth from which the pulp was removed becomes darker than others.

The need to remove the nerve occurs when the carious process is advanced, when pulpitis develops. The nerve is also removed if the area affected by caries is too large, the tooth is severely damaged, and severe and frequent pain occurs.

Many parents believe that there are no nerves in baby teeth, so they cannot hurt in principle. This opinion is a profound misconception, since baby teeth also have nerve endings that can become inflamed and hurt. Baby teeth differ in structure from permanent teeth. The processes of destruction in them occur much faster, as a result, pain is not always the first sign by which it is worth determining the condition of the teeth. It is best to treat teeth in a special pediatric dentistry, and accustom the child to regular examinations at the dentist. But it is necessary to treat teeth, because in place of spoiled baby teeth, the same spoiled permanent teeth will appear.

Removal of the root of a baby tooth

Removal of baby teeth is recommended only in extreme cases, when it is no longer possible to save the tooth. While there is an opportunity to fight for every tooth in the baby's oral cavity, it is necessary to do so.

Just like permanent teeth, baby teeth have root canals and nerves. As permanent teeth grow, the root of the baby tooth gradually dissolves, as a result of which the tooth becomes loose and falls out. Removing baby teeth with the root before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt is not recommended for several reasons. But there are situations when removal is the only option to save the body from the spread of infection. Indications for removal are complete destruction of the tooth by caries, a cyst on the root of the tooth, the formation of a fistula on the gum, acute pulpitis, periodontitis (threatens the destruction of the rudiment of permanent teeth), the roots of baby teeth dissolve very slowly, which prevents the growth of a permanent tooth, and also in the case when a permanent tooth has already appeared, and the baby tooth has not yet fallen out.

In the dental office, extraction is performed with special pliers that do not destroy fragile teeth and are specially designed for children. In addition, when extracting, you need to pay attention not to damage the rudiments of permanent teeth. After extraction, you need to rinse your mouth with antiseptics for several days, which will prevent infection from getting into the wound with food, water, etc.

Anesthesia for extraction of baby teeth

If the root has almost completely dissolved, the extraction of baby teeth is performed under topical anesthesia (spray or gel). But usually infiltration anesthesia is used - an injection of an anesthetic into the gum and from the side of the palate.

The painkillers used in dentistry are a type of lidocaine, but with a slightly different chemical composition. For the most part, small children tolerate such drugs well, but to reduce possible risks, the doctor must ask whether the child has had a reaction or allergic reaction to any medications before. The doctor can also clarify how the child tolerated the teething process, what means were used to reduce pain and itching, how the child tolerated them. It is also necessary to tell the doctor if the child has cardiovascular diseases, since anesthetics contain vasoconstrictor components.

Extraction of baby teeth in children is possible under general anesthesia. Usually, this type of anesthesia is used for very young children from one year to three or four years old, with severe inflammatory processes with the formation of pus in the oral cavity, with intolerance to local anesthetics, as well as in children who have mental illnesses, organic brain diseases.

After the tooth has been removed, the baby should not be allowed to eat for about two hours, after which he can be treated to his favorite ice cream, but it is better without various additives. Such a delicacy will be useful for reducing bleeding from the wound. After the removal, the doctor should recommend which solutions are best for rinsing the mouth, usually herbal infusions (chamomile, sage) or ready-made solutions, such as Rotokan, are used for this. If after the removal of the baby tooth there is still a lot of time (more than a year) before the eruption of the permanent one, it is necessary to consult an orthodontist, who may advise using a special plate to prevent the development of malocclusion.

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Removal of front baby teeth

It is necessary to visit a pediatric dentist in the following cases:

• rapid resorption of the roots of baby teeth or, conversely, a delay in this process;
• destroyed incisors left behind roots that can cause severe inflammation in the oral cavity;
• advanced carious processes. A tooth affected by caries can cause infection of adjacent healthy teeth, as well as the rudiments of permanent teeth located underneath it;
• for various dental injuries, root damage.

The structure of baby teeth is slightly different from that of permanent teeth, which is why the removal of baby teeth is slightly different. Baby teeth have thinner alveolar walls, unexpressed necks, and wider-spaced roots. Under the baby tooth, the rudiments of permanent teeth begin to form. When removing baby teeth, dentists use special children's instruments that have a weaker fixation and do not push the root deeper. After removal, it is necessary to monitor the wound to prevent inflammation; in case of severe swelling, fever, or pain, you should contact a dentist.

Consequences of early removal of baby teeth

If the extraction of baby teeth occurs too early, the risk of complications during the eruption of permanent teeth increases. The bone tissue is not sufficiently prepared for the growth of a strong molar, so the child may experience unpleasant or painful sensations during the eruption of a molar.

After the removal of baby teeth, a child's diction changes, i.e. pronouncing some sounds becomes difficult. While an adult may experience some discomfort, a small child may become accustomed to it, and will continue to lisp.

Premature loss of a baby tooth can cause malocclusion and jaw structure. When a void forms in the oral cavity, adjacent teeth try to fill it with themselves, they begin to shift towards each other. The earlier the baby tooth falls out, the more noticeable the shift will be. As a result, this will cause abnormal growth of permanent teeth, changes in their position, and the formation of malocclusion.

The loss of lateral chewing teeth means that the child does not chew food very thoroughly, which can lead to problems with the digestive system.

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Temperature after milk tooth extraction

Every child is an individual and perceives the removal of baby teeth differently. In some cases, a fever appears after the extraction. This can be quite frightening for parents, many start to panic because of the thought of an infection and the onset of an inflammatory process. Of course, this option is not excluded, but if the temperature rises after tooth extraction, the main thing is not to self-medicate, but to consult a dentist. Only a specialist can determine the cause of a child's fever. This may be due to stress experienced by the child during the extraction procedure or an infection that has entered the wound. With any surgical intervention, it is necessary to do an x-ray, because doctors are not able to perform manipulations blindly. The clinical picture in the oral cavity is not able to display the entire process. Operations without x-rays can lead to serious complications and significantly complicate the process of further treatment. The dose of x-ray radiation for children is low, so there is no need to be afraid of it.

Price of milk tooth extraction

Removal of baby teeth will cost on average from 100 to 150 UAH, depending on the condition of the little patient and the type of anesthesia.