What is Milk Tooth Extraction?
A significant milestone in children’s oral and dental health is the replacement of temporary teeth with permanent teeth. During this process, some primary teeth fall out naturally, while others may require extraction for various reasons. This procedure, performed by a dentist, is appropriate for the child’s oral structure and uses methods that will not disrupt their development.
The timely and correct removal of primary teeth allows permanent teeth to come in safely. Neglecting extractions, even when necessary, can lead to irregularities in tooth alignment, problems with jaw development, and the need for orthodontic treatment later in life.
An extraction is typically a short, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia, depending on the tooth’s condition. While it may seem like a minor procedure, it must be performed with care and control, considering the child’s psychological well-being.
When Should Milk Teeth Be Extracted?
The tooth change process can begin at different times for each child, but typically, between the ages of 6 and 12, primary teeth give way to permanent teeth. When this process progresses naturally, primary teeth will naturally loosen and fall out. However, in some cases, this cycle can be disrupted, requiring intervention.
If a primary tooth remains in place despite the eruption of a permanent tooth, or if it is loose but not falling out, an extraction may be planned. Additionally, primary teeth that are beyond repair due to decay or that interfere with the erupting tooth should also be extracted.
The most accurate timing decision is made after a clinical and radiological examination by your dentist. Unnecessarily early extractions may necessitate the need for a space maintainer and may lead to misalignment of teeth.
In Which Situations Is Milk Tooth Extraction Necessary?
Not every baby tooth needs to be extracted. However, some special circumstances may make this procedure necessary. Some of these situations include:
The milk tooth remains fixed in place despite the permanent tooth coming out
The decay of the milk tooth is at a level that cannot be treated.
Presence of an abscessed or infected milk tooth
Root fracture following dental trauma
The need for extraction for orthodontic purposes (to gain space for teeth)
In such cases, the child’s age, jaw development, tooth alignment, and the timing of permanent tooth eruption must be taken into account when planning extractions. Every necessary extraction helps prevent more serious problems in the future.
How is Milk Tooth Extraction Done?
Establishing a trusting relationship with the child’s dentist before the procedure is crucial. The procedure is planned based on the child’s anxiety level and the condition of the tooth. Local anesthesia is typically administered to numb the area surrounding the tooth, eliminating any pain.
The dentist then separates the tooth from the surrounding tissue using appropriate equipment and carefully extracts it. The procedure takes a few minutes, and a sterile gauze pad is then placed on the affected area. Bleeding quickly stops, and healing begins.
In some cases, minor stitches may be required after the extraction. Depending on the child’s age and the location of the tooth, a space maintainer may be recommended to protect the remaining space after the extraction. This protects the space where the permanent tooth will emerge and prevents tooth shifting.
Is Milk Tooth Extraction Painful?
Contrary to popular belief, this procedure doesn’t cause significant pain when performed correctly. Local anesthesia completely numbs the extraction area, and the child won’t feel any pain during the procedure. A slight pressure or stinging sensation may occur during the anesthesia, but this is temporary.
You may experience mild soreness or a feeling of pressure after the procedure. In such cases, simple painkillers can be used with your doctor’s advice. It’s also recommended to avoid hard foods, hot drinks, and maintain good oral hygiene for the first day.
What Should Be Considered After Milk Tooth Extraction?
After the procedure is completed, certain rules must be followed to ensure a smooth healing process. First, keeping the gauze pad placed in place for approximately 30 minutes after the extraction helps stop bleeding. After the pad is removed, avoid spitting, rinsing, or sucking.
The child should not eat anything for the first few hours; chewing should be avoided until the anesthesia wears off. Otherwise, problems such as unintentional lip or tongue biting may occur. Soft, warm foods should be preferred for the first day. Hard, hot, and spicy foods should be avoided.
Additionally, oral hygiene should be maintained for 24 hours following the procedure, and brushing should be avoided while touching the extraction site. In cases of extreme pain, prolonged bleeding, or swelling, consult a dentist immediately.
What Happens If a Milk Tooth Is Extracted Early?
Sometimes, primary teeth may need to be extracted earlier than expected due to reasons such as decay, trauma, or infection. This can pose risks to tooth alignment and jaw development. If precautions are not taken to protect the position of the extracted tooth, neighboring teeth may shift into the space, narrowing the space for the permanent tooth to emerge.
This can lead to problems such as permanent teeth emerging from the wrong location, becoming impacted, or misaligned. Additionally, jaw asymmetry, speech problems, and impaired chewing function can also occur.
To prevent such complications, an orthodontic evaluation should be performed after early extraction, and if necessary, space maintainer treatment should be applied. This ensures that the primary tooth maintains its function until the permanent tooth emerges.
Milk Tooth Extraction and Use of Space Maintainers
Protecting the remaining tooth space is crucial for a child to maintain healthy dental alignment in the future. Space maintainers used for this purpose stabilize the tooth space after extraction, preventing the surrounding teeth from moving.
These appliances, which can be either removable or fixed, are designed based on the child’s age, the location of the extracted tooth, and the time it takes for the permanent tooth to emerge. While fixed space maintainers are bonded to the teeth, removable space maintainers are designed to be removable and require regular use.
The condition of the space maintainer should be monitored with regular checkups, and the device should be removed when permanent teeth begin to emerge. This practice reduces the need for future orthodontic treatment, saving both cost and time.
Does Milk Tooth Extraction Affect a Child’s Dental Development?
Extractions performed appropriately and at the right time do not negatively impact tooth development. On the contrary, in some cases, planned extractions can be performed to support healthy development. However, untimely or uncontrolled procedures can disrupt the developmental process.
If adequate measures are not taken to replace primary teeth, especially those extracted at an early age, unbalanced jaw growth, loss of space between teeth, and malocclusion can occur. These conditions can later affect a child’s speech, chewing, and aesthetic appearance.
It’s crucial that the post-extraction process be carried out under the supervision of a dentist to ensure healthy tooth development. Therefore, follow-up appointments should be made regularly after each extraction for children, and their development should be monitored regularly.
Milk Tooth Extraction Prices 2026
The cost of the procedure can vary depending on the difficulty of the procedure, the location of the tooth, the equipment used, and the dentist’s experience. Additionally, the placement of a space maintainer after the extraction can add additional costs. Another factor affecting the price is whether the procedure is performed under local anesthesia or with specialized methods such as sedation.
Because every child’s oral structure and treatment needs are unique, a clinical evaluation is necessary to determine a precise price range. In some cases, extraction of just one tooth may be sufficient, while other patients may require intervention on multiple teeth. Contact us today for pricing on primary tooth extractions.
If a milk tooth is loose, should it be extracted?
The process of tooth change is quite natural during childhood, and it’s expected that primary teeth will eventually loosen and fall out. However, in some cases, this process can be prolonged, and the tooth may remain in place. If the tooth remains loose for a long time, it can interfere with the permanent tooth that emerges below or cause gum problems.
The determination of whether an extraction is necessary can only be made after an examination. If a primary tooth is very close to falling out naturally, it may be preferable to complete the process without dental intervention. However, if it interferes with a child’s chewing or speaking functions, or interferes with the erupting tooth, an extraction may be appropriate.
Forced or home-based tooth extraction is not recommended. Such procedures can lead to gum trauma, infection, or psychological distress in the child. All decisions should be made by a specialist.
Will a permanent tooth replace the extracted tooth immediately?
The time it takes for permanent teeth to appear can vary from child to child. It’s not always possible for a permanent tooth to replace a baby tooth immediately. This process can take weeks, sometimes even months. The availability of permanent teeth beneath the gums, jaw development, and genetic factors influence this process.
If an early extraction is performed and the permanent tooth hasn’t yet erupted, a space may remain for a long time. A space maintainer is recommended to maintain this space. This prevents neighboring teeth from shifting and taking up space, facilitating the eruption of the permanent tooth.
In cases of delayed tooth eruption, the dentist checks whether the process is progressing healthily by evaluating the position and development of the permanent tooth with x-rays.
Is anesthesia used for tooth extraction in children?
Local anesthesia is administered to ensure children don’t feel any pain during this procedure. This completely numbs the extraction area, allowing the procedure to be completed comfortably. Anesthesia is usually administered via cream followed by an injection. The child may feel pressure after the anesthesia, but it won’t cause any pain.
For children with extreme anxiety or fear of the dentist, sedation or general anesthesia may be considered if necessary. These procedures are typically reserved for patients who have experienced significant trauma or require prolonged treatment.
Anesthesia is administered to children using appropriate doses and safe protocols. Parents need not be concerned about this, but in all cases, information should be provided and the child’s psychological preparedness ensured.
Is bleeding after milk tooth extraction normal?
It’s normal for some light bleeding to occur in the first few hours after the procedure. This bleeding may appear more concentrated, especially if the child spits out any remaining blood, which can cause panic in parents. However, this bleeding usually stops on its own within a short time.
To stop bleeding, the gauze placed by the dentist must be bitten firmly for at least 30 minutes after the extraction. Talking, spitting, or rinsing the mouth is not recommended during this time.
If bleeding lasts more than 1-2 hours or if the child experiences symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or weakness, a dentist should be consulted.