Extration
As dentists our aim is to restore teeth, there are times when this is not possible, and this is when a tooth extraction is the best option. Tiny Smile Dentistry provides tooth extraction services in Pretoria East.
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Q. When is a dental extraction necessary?
Our aim as dentists is always to try and save teeth. However when the tooth is so badly damaged that it cannot be restored if there is a severe abscess, a tooth extraction procedure is usually the best option.
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We also sometimes extract decayed baby teeth if they are due to exfoliate soon.
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Teeth can also be extracted for orthodontic reasons if there isn’t enough space for them or if they are very badly positioned.
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Q. Are tooth extractions painful?
No, the extraction will usually remove the source of your pain. The procedure itself is painless.
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At Tiny Smile Dentistry you will be numbed using an “almost” painless injection using the “STA Wand”. During the extraction you might feel some pressure being supplied, but usually you will not feel any pain.
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Q. How much pain is there after a tooth extraction?
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Most children do not experience pain after the extraction of a “baby tooth”. After the extraction of permanent teeth most people will experience some discomfort.
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You dentist will prescribe pain medication to help soothe the discomfort.
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Q. What is the aftercare instructions following a tooth extraction procedure?
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When your child has had one or more teeth extracted please follow these instructions:
Activity may need to be limited.
Gauze should stay in place with biting pressure for approximately 10 to 15 minutes after you leave our office.
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Your child's cheek, lip and tongue will be numb for approximately 2 to 3 hours. Please be very careful that your child does not bite or pick at this area. A self-inflicted bite injury is the most common after treatment complication.
Do not allow your child to drink through a straw, spit vigorously or for our younger patients, use a "Sippy" cup for the first day as this may disturb the healing clot and possibly cause infection.
Your child should try to maintain as normal a diet as possible avoiding foods that are sharp, crunchy, too hot or too cold because the area may be sensitive. Pasta, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and yogurt are just a few examples of the diet your child can immediately resume. Encourage plenty of liquids (water, soups, juices, etc.). Let your child determine when a regular diet can be reintroduced.
Prescriptions for pain medication are rarely necessary following routine tooth extractions in children. If your child does experience pain you can give Panado or Nurofen according to the recommended dosage on the package insert. Do not give aspirin. Your child should only need the pain medicine for 24 hours to 48 hours. If pain persists beyond 48 hours, please call our office.
A clean mouth heals faster. 24 hours after the procedure, gentle brushing around the extraction site can be started, along with warm salt water rinses (1/4 teaspoon salt to a glass of warm water) to help with any discomfort.