Tooth Extractions in Downtown San Antonio

Saving a tooth is always our first goal, but sometimes removing it is the healthiest choice for your child. When that happens, our pediatric dentists in San Antonio make the visit as calm and quick as we can. We explain the plan to you first, use kid-friendly words with your child, and keep you nearby whenever possible.

When does a child’s tooth need to come out?

Your child’s dentist may recommend an extraction for:

• Deep decay or infection that has spread too far for Pulp Therapy or a crown to fix
• A stubborn baby tooth that hasn’t loosened even though the adult tooth is coming in behind it
• Crowding or orthodontic planning, when removing a tooth helps permanent teeth erupt in a better position
• An extra tooth that is blocking or crowding the teeth around it
• A serious injury that leaves a tooth broken beyond repair (see Dental Trauma)

We’ll show you what we see on Digital X-Rays and talk through every option before deciding together.

How we keep your child comfortable

Before anything else, we numb the area with Local Anesthesia, starting with a flavored gel on the gums. With children, we call it “putting the tooth to sleep” and describe the removal as wiggling the tooth free. Most children feel pressure but no pain.

Some kids need more support to relax. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) helps many children feel calm and a little floaty. For very young or very anxious children, or when several teeth need care, we may talk with you about Sedation Dentistry or General Anesthesia. Dr. Kevin Coppola is certified in Level 2 sedation and hospital dentistry, and our team will help you decide which level of care fits your child.

Caring for your child after an extraction

The first day is the most important for healing.

• Gauze: Have your child bite gently on the gauze we provide until the bleeding slows. A little pink in the saliva for the rest of the day is normal.
• Numbness: The lip, cheek or tongue may stay numb for a couple of hours. Watch that your child doesn’t chew or scratch the area.
• Food: Offer soft, cool foods like yogurt, applesauce or mashed potatoes, and avoid crunchy or very hot foods for the rest of the day.
• Drinking: Skip straws for the first day so the healing spot stays protected.
• Brushing: Keep brushing the other teeth, and be gentle near the extraction site.
• Comfort: An over-the-counter pain reliever suited to your child’s age and weight can help with soreness.

Call us if bleeding doesn’t slow with firm pressure, if swelling grows after the first day, or if your child develops a fever.

Will my child need a space maintainer?

If a baby tooth is removed well before the adult tooth is ready, nearby teeth can drift into the gap. One of our Space Maintainers can hold that space open until the permanent tooth arrives. When a tooth comes out close to its natural time, a space maintainer often isn’t necessary.

Is it safe to remove a baby tooth early?

Yes, when there’s a good reason to. Your child’s dentist will consider your child’s age, which tooth it is and when the adult tooth is expected before recommending an extraction.

How long does a child’s extraction take?

Removing a single baby tooth is usually quick once the area is numb. Most of the appointment is spent getting your child settled and comfortable.

Can my child go to school after an extraction?

Many children return to their normal routine the same day. If your child had sedation, plan for a quiet day at home with an adult nearby.

Related: Space Maintainers, Pulp Therapy, Sedation Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry