Oral treatments

Extraction is the removal of tooth by dentally used extraction instruments such as forceps or elevators.

Purpose of extraction in children

  • To remove teeth that cannot be restored
  • To remove teeth that are not necessary to restore
  • To remove potentially problematic teeth

  • To remove teeth necessary for orthodontic treatment

    Photograph showing a tooth requiring removal for orthodontic needs.

    Photograph of an arrow pointing downwards to indicate what comes next.

    Photograph showing the removal of the tooth for orthodontic needs.

    Photograph of an arrow pointing downwards to indicate what comes next.

    Photograph showing the lower teeth under orthodontic treatment with appliances.
  • Removal of a seriously decayed tooth can prevent infective endocarditis for some patients who are suffering from some forms of heart disease.

Procedures

  1. Apply local anaesthetics to the tooth and oral structures to make them numb

  2. Using appropriate instruments to extract the tooth

    Animation showing the use of dental instruments to loosen the tooth and remove it from the socket.
  3. Tightly bite on cotton roll or gauze to help stop bleeding

Note for parents

  • The proper alignment of teeth depends on the size of the jaw bone. If deciduous teeth are extracted prematurely, the early loss of deciduous teeth may have an adverse result in irregular alignment of permanent teeth
  • Deciduous teeth will shed naturally during the period of transition from deciduous to permanent dentition. Even though they are loose, there is no need to extract the deciduous teeth
  • Never frighten a child by a threat to have their teeth extracted if they don't behave. It will cause fear towards dental treatments and the child will become less cooperative to dental procedures in the future

Points to note after extraction

On the day after extraction:

  • Do not rinse your mouth vigorously
  • Do not disturb the wound with the tongue or fingers
  • Do not do heavy exercise
  • Take pain control medication as given by dentist

Painful and swollen wound after extraction

Generally, discomfort in the wound will be felt within few days after the extraction. The level of discomfort will decrease as the wound heals. If you follow the dentist's advices to give your child medications and keep his/her mouth clean, the wound should gradually heal. If the discomfort persists or has even worsened , you should take your child to get a detailed check-up by the dentist.