Tooth Extractions in Santa Rosa, CA

When Does a Child Need a Tooth Extraction?

While baby teeth are designed to fall out naturally, some situations require early removal to protect surrounding teeth and support healthy development. Common reasons for pediatric tooth extractions include:

• Severe decay that cannot be restored with a filling or crown
• Infection or abscess that could impact nearby teeth or bone
• Orthodontic concerns, such as overcrowding or preparation for future treatment
• Impacted or poorly erupting teeth
• Trauma that causes a tooth to fracture or become non-restorable
• Retained baby teeth that haven’t fallen out naturally and are blocking permanent teeth

Before recommending an extraction, we perform a full exam and take any necessary digital or panoramic X-rays to evaluate the condition of the tooth and its surrounding structures.

What to Expect During a Pediatric Tooth Extraction

We understand that hearing your child needs a tooth removed can feel intimidating. That’s why Dr. Adam Hiné takes extra time to explain the process and provide compassionate, expert care throughout the procedure.

Here’s how a typical extraction appointment works:

1. Comprehensive Evaluation
   We begin with a thorough exam and review of your child’s dental history. We also evaluate the position of neighboring teeth and the overall growth pattern.
   
   
2. Comfort and Sedation Options
   We offer multiple sedation dentistry options to help children feel calm and relaxed, including:
   
   • Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”)
   • Oral conscious sedation
   • IV sedation (in-office)
   • General anesthesia (for more complex cases)
     
3. Tooth Removal
   The tooth is gently loosened and removed using pediatric-specific instruments. In most cases, extractions are quick and require only minimal recovery time.
   
   
4. Post-Extraction Care
   After the procedure, we provide detailed aftercare instructions, including:
   
   • How to manage swelling or discomfort
   • Dietary guidelines during healing
   • How to prevent dry socket or infection
   • When to resume brushing and normal activities

Depending on the tooth removed, we may recommend a space maintainer to preserve proper alignment and make room for the permanent tooth.

Restoring Function After an Extraction

Losing a tooth early can sometimes affect your child’s bite, speech, or spacing. After an extraction, we’ll work closely with you to ensure their mouth continues to develop properly. This may include:

• Monitoring eruption patterns through regular exams
• Using space maintainers to prevent shifting
• Planning future orthodontic treatment if necessary
• Supporting healing with nutritional counseling

Our goal is to provide a long-term solution that supports both function and aesthetics — especially if the extraction involves a front tooth.

Emergency Tooth Extractions

Sometimes, a dental emergency requires immediate removal of a tooth to stop pain, prevent infection, or protect surrounding tissues. If your child has experienced an accident or is in pain, visit our emergency dentist page to learn how we can help — often with same-day appointments.

We treat dental emergencies with care and urgency, keeping your child as comfortable as possible throughout the process.

Why Parents Trust Us for Pediatric Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are a common but important procedure in pediatric dentistry, and our approach is guided by:

• Experience treating kids of all ages, including toddlers and children with special needs
• Clear communication with parents at every stage of treatment
• A focus on comfort, sedation, and gentle techniques
• Emphasis on prevention and long-term development after extraction
• A warm, welcoming environment that helps kids feel at ease

Whether it’s your child’s first dental procedure or part of a broader restorative dentistry plan, we’re here to provide thoughtful care and expert support.