Tooth Extractions – Canton, GA
Safely Removing Your
Child’s Problem Teeth
At Cherokee Children’s Dentistry, our team knows that nothing compares to the look and feel of a natural tooth. For that reason, we rarely recommend a tooth extraction unless the tooth cannot be repaired by any other means. Rest assured that if we decide that removing a tooth is the healthiest option for your child’s smile, we’ll do our utmost to make the tooth extractions in our Canton, GA dental office as safe and comfortable as possible.
Why Choose Cherokee Children's Dentistry for Tooth Extractions?
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Same-Day Emergency Dental
Appointments Available -
Sedation Dentistry Offered
to Help Patients Relax -
Experienced, Board-Certified
Pediatric Dentists
Reasons for Kids’
Tooth Extractions
While we try to avoid extracting a child’s tooth whenever possible, we may make the recommendation in the following circumstances:
- Severe tooth decay
- Injury or trauma has damaged the tooth beyond repair
- The baby teeth are not falling out on their own, preventing the permanent teeth from erupting
- More room must be made in the mouth before orthodontic treatment
The Tooth
Extraction Process
Tooth extractions might sound scary, but our friendly dentists and team have plenty of experience making the process smooth and easy. Before the procedure, we can administer sedation to calm your child’s nerves and help them relax. Then, we numb their mouth with local anesthetic to ensure they feel no discomfort. At that point, we can safely remove the problem tooth.
Aftercare for Your Child’s Tooth Extraction
To help your child heal from a tooth extraction, it’s essential to preserve the blood clot that will form over the socket. You can accomplish this by making sure your child avoids the following for a few days:
- Drinking through a straw
- Spitting or rinsing forcefully
- Blowing their nose
- Chewing hard foods
Have them stick to a soft food diet initially. They may experience swelling and general discomfort during this period, which can be managed with pain medication. You can also hold an ice pack to your child’s cheek for ten minutes at a time.
Understanding the Cost of Tooth Extractions
We know the last thing you want to worry about after hearing your child needs a tooth extraction is money. You want to focus entirely on your loved one’s care, which makes perfect sense! That’s why we’ve put together some easy-to-read information about the cost of tooth extractions in Canton. Below, you’ll get a general overview of what you can expect for your child’s emergency treatment expenses. During the consultation, we’ll be sure to give you a more precise number – but in the meantime, take a look at how you could afford your child’s extraction and let us know if you have any questions.
Factors That Can Affect Tooth Extraction Costs
An important thing to keep in mind about children’s tooth extraction is that many different factors could affect the total cost of treatment. Your child’s extraction could be very different from another’s, depending on:
The number of teeth that require extraction. The more pearly whites that need evacuated, the more money you’ll spend!
The type of tooth being removed. Back molars, for example, are harder to access and may cost more than a front incisor.
The treatment process. You can consider a simple extraction to be the “base rate,” while a surgical extraction (the more common method for wisdom teeth) will incur more expenses because they’re a bit more complex.
Your child’s tooth replacement. Since children and teens still have a lot of growing to do where their mouths are concerned, choosing a suitable tooth replacement depends on their development. Rest assured we’ll help you pick the best option for your loved one and will keep you in the loop about the costs involved.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Tooth Extractions?
In general, we find that dental insurance will cover at least 50% of the costs of a tooth extraction. However, this isn’t always the case – it simply depends on the company and your specific plan. If you’re not sure about the details of your policy, it’s a good idea to review the fine print. Or, if you’re having trouble understanding the legalese, we can help! Our team deals with dental insurance every day, and would be happy to take a look at your policy and let you know how you can get the most out of your benefits.
Other Options for Making Tooth Extractions Affordable
In addition to being dental insurance friendly, we also partner with CareCredit to offer flexible financing plans for those without insurance. Essentially, a CareCredit plan allows you to break your total costs down into smaller, more manageable monthly payments at little-to-no-interest. Let us know if you’re interested in this option, and we’d be happy to tell you more or help you apply!
Tooth Extractions FAQs
What Can My Child Eat After Their Tooth Extraction?
For the first 24 hours, your child should stick to a liquid diet. After that, they can eat extremely soft foods, like cottage cheese, plain yogurt, applesauce, and pudding. Around the one-week mark, they should be able to resume their usual diet.
Important reminder: Your child should wait at least an hour or two after the procedure to eat. There are a few reasons for this, including that it allows the numbing agent to wear off.
How Should I Prepare for My Child’s Tooth Extraction?
We discuss what to do after pediatric tooth extractions in Canton, but is there anything you should do before? The short answer is “yes!” First, stock up on everything you need to help your child heal comfortably at home, like cold compresses, soft foods, and OTC pain medication for kids. The morning of, make sure they wear something comfortable and, if they are being sedated, that they fast beforehand. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we want to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Does Getting a Tooth Extracted Hurt?
This is a very common question, especially among patients who struggle with dental anxiety. If your child is nervous, we have good news: the tooth extraction process won’t hurt because we numb the area thoroughly. Plus, we provide detailed aftercare instructions (i.e., taking OTC pain medication, avoiding hot foods, using a cold compress) to make the healing process comfortable as well!
If your child is feeling extremely stressed, they need multiple teeth extracted, or they have a fear of needles, ask us about sedation dentistry! With calming solutions like nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, we can ensure your child doesn’t experience nerves, worry, and anxiety in the treatment chair.
What’s the Difference Between Tooth Extractions and Wisdom Tooth Surgery?
While wisdom tooth surgery is designed to remove the third and final set of molars, tooth extractions can remove any tooth that is causing problems. Additionally, tooth extractions often require follow-up care, like orthodontic treatment or having a space maintainer made. Of course, there are also other differences, including the price and the procedure, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a friendly member of our team if you would like to learn more!
Can My Child Use a Straw After Their Tooth Extraction?
No, they should not use a straw during the healing period. There is an important reason for this: the suction can lead to a painful condition called dry socket. To prevent that from happening, it’s of the utmost importance that they follow all of their aftercare instructions, including not using a straw until given the green light to do so.