Pediatric Tooth Extraction in Frisco, McKinney, and Prosper, TX
Pediatric dentists may recommend removing a baby tooth or a permanent tooth if it’s causing problems like crowding, infection, or delaying the arrival of adult teeth.
While the idea of extraction may seem concerning, it’s a safe and common procedure designed to keep your child’s smile healthy.
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry offers pediatric tooth extraction in Frisco, McKinney, and Prosper, TX.
Common Reasons for Tooth Extraction in Kids
A dentist will only recommend removing a baby tooth if it is necessary to protect your child’s oral health and other treatments won’t work. Here are a few reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted:
- Severe tooth decay: If a baby tooth has a large cavity and cannot be repaired, removing it helps prevent pain and further damage to surrounding teeth.
- Over-retained baby teeth: Some baby teeth hold on too long, blocking the permanent teeth from coming in properly.
- Orthodontic treatments: Removing a tooth can create the space needed to straighten teeth with braces.
- Infection or gum disease: If an infection is affecting the tooth or gums, extraction may be the best way to protect your child’s dental health.
Trauma or injury; If a tooth is broken beyond repair, removing it helps avoid further pain and complications.
Types of Pediatric Tooth Extractions
Our team takes a gentle approach to ensure your child feels safe and comfortable. The type of extraction depends on whether the tooth has fully erupted and how firmly it is anchored in place.
Simple Extraction
A simple extraction is performed on a tooth that is fully visible in the mouth and easily accessible.
The area is numbed with local anesthesia to prevent discomfort. If needed, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) may be used to help your child relax. Once the area is fully numb, the tooth is gently loosened using specialized dental instruments before being carefully removed.
The entire process is quick and straightforward, and most children experience minimal discomfort.
Surgical Extraction
A surgical extraction is necessary for teeth that are not visible in the mouth and are more difficult to extract.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the area, and sedation options such as nitrous oxide or IV sedation may be recommended to help your child stay relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.
Once the area is fully numbed, a small incision is made in the gum to access the tooth. In some cases, a portion of bone may need to be removed to fully reach it. If the tooth has strong roots or is impacted, it may be carefully sectioned into smaller pieces to make removal easier. If an incision was made, it will be closed with dissolvable stitches.
Keeping Your Child Comfortable: Sedation Options
We want your child to feel relaxed and safe during their dental procedure. Depending on their needs, we may offer:
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) – This safe, mild sedative helps children stay calm while remaining awake. It wears off quickly after the procedure.
- Conscious Sedation (oral sedation) – A stronger option that will make them feel drowsy while still being awake.
- IV Sedation – This deeper sedation option keeps your child in a very relaxed, sleep-like state while still being responsive.
- General Anesthesia – For complex procedures, general anesthesia allows your child to sleep through the entire process without any awareness or discomfort.
Learn more about our sedation services.
Recovery After a Tooth Extraction
Most kids bounce back quickly after a tooth extraction, but a little extra care can make recovery easier:
- Mild bleeding: Some bleeding is normal. Biting down on gauze helps stop it.
- Managing discomfort : Over-the-counter pain relief can help if your child feels sore. Always follow the dosing instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Soft foods: Stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, blended soups, soft bread, cheese and applesauce for a couple of days. For a full list of soft foods to eat after a tooth extraction, download this free pdf!
- Gentle oral care: Avoid brushing near the extraction site for the first day. A warm saltwater rinse can help keep the area clean.
- Take it easy: Rest is important. Avoid rough play or sports for a day.
- Space maintainers: If a baby tooth is removed early, a space maintainer may be recommended to keep the space open for the adult tooth. Learn more about space maintainers.
Gentle and Compassionate Dental Care
We understand that tooth extractions can be stressful, but we take every step to make the process as gentle and easy as possible for your child.
Whether it’s a simple or surgical extraction, we prioritize gentle care and a stress-free visit. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and give your child the expert care they deserve!
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, TX call (214) 618-5200 or complete the online contact form. We are located at 6801 Warren Parkway, Suite 115, Frisco, TX.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in McKinney, TX, call (214) 436-5555 or complete the online contact form. We are located at 5323 W University Dr #100 McKinney, TX.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Prosper, TX, call (469) 228-4402 or complete the online contact form. We are located at 240 S. Preston Road, Suite 10, Prosper.
Additional Resources
We are all about educating parents and kids! Check out our blog for helpful oral hygiene types. Here are a few examples of what you will find there: