Child Tooth Extraction in Virginia Beach

Are Extractions Really Needed for Kids?

Unfortunately, yes. Some children need to have certain teeth extracted. In fact, tooth extractions are a common solution for children who have baby teeth that aren't falling out to make room for their adult teeth.

Sometimes, this happens when an adult tooth starts coming up and is partially covered by one or more baby teeth. This situation keeps the adult tooth from erupting properly, so having the baby tooth or teeth taken out is a good option for preventing crooked adult teeth.

Other times, kids need to have a tooth taken out if it's heavily decayed. If your tooth is decaying and not taken out, it can become infected. When left untreated, this infection can spread to your blood and cause harmful side effects beyond your mouth.

In addition, kids may need a baby tooth extraction when their teeth are too close together. This can happen as adult teeth start coming in and push baby teeth closer together. In other cases, getting a baby tooth pulled is needed when a child has an extra tooth.

What Is the Difference Between a Simple and Surgical Extraction?

If your child is having a tooth pulled, the dentist will perform one of two types of extractions: simple or surgical. A simple extraction is as straightforward as it comes. It doesn't take much time, nor does it require a lot of healing time.

A surgical extraction, however, is a bit more complicated. That's because it requires the dentist to cut into the gums to remove the damaged or problematic tooth. This procedure is most common when dentists remove wisdom teeth or any other teeth that haven't fully erupted.

How Long Does It Take a Child to Heal From Having a Tooth Taken Out?

Tooth extraction healing typically doesn't take long for adults or kids. However, kids tend to recover from the procedure a bit faster. In fact, kids can typically go back to engaging in moderate activities 24 hours after their teeth are taken out. The extraction sites themselves should be fully healed within a week.

Of course, this healing timeline is for simple extractions. Since a surgical child tooth extraction requires more work, it takes longer to heal. The dentist has to cut into the gums and then stitch up the site. It could take a few weeks before the stitches come out.

In most cases, though, the stitches come out on their own or dissolve. The dentist still might want to see your child after the stitches come out to ensure that the site healed properly.

Does Having a Tooth Extraction Cost a Lot?

The good news is that a child tooth extraction doesn't cost that much. In fact, baby tooth removal is usually easier and less costly than having an adult tooth removed. That being said, the pediatric tooth extraction cost can vary depending on the type of extraction your child needs.

For example, if your child is having a simple extraction, then the cost will be significantly cheaper than for a surgical extraction. The reason is because a surgical extraction requires a lot more work on the part of the dentist.

Are you worried about the cost? Don't be! Contact us to learn how we make tooth extractions in Virginia Beach more affordable than ever before. If you have dental insurance, your coverage might even pay for some or all of the cost of the extraction.

Reach out to us today, and we can find out for you how much that your insurance will cover. Remember that children's dental work is more likely to be covered than adult dental work.

Trust Us for a Child Tooth Extraction in Virginia Beach

Do you think that it may be time to get your child's tooth extracted? If so, you can put your trust in us. We have the tools and experience necessary to ensure that the extraction process goes as smoothly as possible. We want to ensure that both you and your child feel comfortable when you visit our office.

Are you unsure whether your child needs a simple or surgical extraction? We can tell you! Set up an appointment with one of our friendly staff members, and ask for any details that you need to know about our child tooth extraction services.