Consequences of early extraction in children. Tranquilizing plan of action

If your child is between the ages of 5-9 years and has a carious primary(milk tooth) and is complaining of constant pain. then extraction is not the right treatment at this age. Parents usually make this decision thinking that her permanent teeth will come out. they will eventually come out but at the right time which is usually 9 1/2 or 10 plus. till then it is very important to save milk teeth for which multiple treatment options are available.

In this article, I shall be discussing in detail the consequences of extracting a milk tooth at an early age and the treatment options that are available to save the primary tooth.

Table of Contents

CONSEQUENCES OF EARLY TOOTH EXTRACTION:

1. Disruption of Natural Tooth Alignment

Issue: Primary teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth, guiding them into their correct positions.

Consequence: Early removal can cause the adjacent teeth to shift into the space, leading to misalignment of the permanent teeth and potentially resulting in crowding or gaps.

2. Impact on Jaw Growth and Development

Issue: The presence of primary teeth helps in the proper development of the jaw and facial muscles.

Consequence: Early extraction can interfere with this process, potentially leading to jaw misalignment and bite issues.

3. Speech Development Problems

Issue: Primary teeth play a crucial role in the development of clear speech.

Consequence: Losing these teeth too early can affect a child’s ability to form certain sounds correctly, potentially leading to speech impediments.

4. Chewing and Nutrition Issues

Issue: Primary teeth are essential for proper chewing and digestion of food.

Consequence: Early extraction can make it difficult for a child to chew food properly, which might affect their nutrition and overall health.

5. Psychological Impact

Issue: Losing teeth prematurely can affect a child’s self-esteem and confidence.

Consequence: Children might feel self-conscious about their appearance, especially if the missing teeth are visible when they smile or talk.

6. Risk of Damage to Developing Permanent Teeth

Issue: The roots of primary teeth are located close to the developing permanent teeth.

Consequence: Early extraction can potentially damage the developing permanent teeth, leading to complications in their growth or eruption.

7. Potential for Increased Dental Anxiety

Issue: Early and potentially traumatic dental procedures can impact a child’s perception of dental care.

Consequence: This might lead to increased dental anxiety or fear, making future dental visits more challenging.

8. Need for Orthodontic Intervention

Issue: Misalignment and improper eruption of permanent teeth due to early primary tooth extraction often require corrective measures.

Consequence: This can lead to the need for orthodontic treatments like braces or other dental appliances, which can be time-consuming and costly.

TREATMENT OPTIONS TO SAVE MILK TOOTH

Assessing the severity of damage by thorough examination, Xrays, and taking proper history can help the dentist come to decide on appropriate treatment. In children, 3 treatment options are there to save the tooth which are,

Simple fillings
Pulpotomy
Pulpectomy

An exceptional case of early removal of milk tooth:

This is usually the case in which a child aged 6-7 years has a rapidly increasing swelling associated with the carious tooth. this condition can be life threatening because of large air spaces in children. swelling can also become an obstacle in breathing, thus immediate removal of the cause is necessary.

In these cases, space maintenance strategies should be carefully planned and follow-up should be done.

Mitigation Strategies

Space Maintainers: If early extraction is unavoidable, dentists can use space maintainers to hold the space open for the permanent tooth.
Regular Monitoring: Ensuring regular dental check-ups to monitor the development of permanent teeth and address any emerging issues promptly.
Preventive Care: Emphasizing good oral hygiene and regular dental visits to minimize the need for extractions.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, while early extraction of milk teeth might sometimes be necessary due to severe decay or injury, it’s important to understand and mitigate the potential disadvantages through careful planning and follow-up care.

Prevent early extractions in children by visiting an experienced Dentist so that timely and appropriate treatment is done.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are intended to raise awareness about common health issues and should not be viewed as sound medical advice for your specific condition. You should always consult with a licensed medical practitioner prior to following any suggestions outlined in this article or adopting any treatment protocol based on the contents of this article.