What is dental procedures and surgery?

Dental Procedures and Surgery
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How are common dental procedures done in children?

Treatments for pain

Before your child's dental procedures, your dentist may use medicines to help your child stay calm and relaxed and to prevent pain. These may include a numbing medicine brushed on the gums and a shot of numbing medicine in the mouth. Your child may also have nitrous oxide gas or medicines to treat anxiety. Some children get medicine to make them sleep (general anesthesia).

Cleaning

Your child's dentist or a dental hygienist uses a scraping tool to remove plaque and tartar from your child's teeth. The dentist or hygienist will also use floss to clean between the teeth. Paste may be used to remove stains.

Sealant

The dentist or hygienist starts by placing a cotton roll around the teeth to keep the teeth dry. Liquid is applied that will glue the sealant to the teeth. After about a minute, the dentist or hygienist will rinse off the excess glue, dry the teeth, and put on the sealant.

Scaling and root planing

The dentist or hygienist uses a scraping tool or a small vibrating tool to remove plaque, tartar, and infection from between the gums and teeth. This focuses on the parts of the teeth below the gumline and down the roots. A planing tool is used to smooth the roots. This helps the gums attach tightly to the roots.

Fillings

First the dentist numbs the tooth. A dental drill is used to remove all the tooth decay. Then the dentist uses filling material to replace the area that was removed.

Extractions

To remove a tooth, the dentist numbs the tooth and the area around it. Then the dentist uses a special tool to grasp the tooth and lift it out of the tooth socket. Your child is then given a piece of gauze or cotton to bite down on. This will help stop the bleeding. Your child may also get stitches.

After dental surgery: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You have severe trouble breathing.

Call your dentist now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
  • You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
  • You have new or more bleeding from the site.
  • You have signs of infection, such as:
    • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
    • Red streaks leading from the area.
    • Pus draining from the area.
    • A fever.
  • You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.
  • You are too sick to your stomach to drink any fluids.
  • You cannot keep down fluids.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your dentist if you have any problems.

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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.