Incomplete tooth extraction in children?

My daughter is 5 and a half and went to get her lower front center tooth extracted. The pedodontist broke the tooth during the extraction and half of the root is left in the gum. How serious is this? What procedure is normally used on children in this case? Does she need to get surgery (cut open the gum since the remaining root is no longer visible externally) or would it be a minor procedure?

Thanks, Rosie

Dear Rosie,

Most baby root tips resorb during the eruption of the adult tooth therefore not a serious condition to treat, however sometimes it may not resorb. Children’s lower front center teeth start to erupt from age’s six to seven, so we recommend that you take no action at this time to have the root tip removed. We would encourage you to have her lower front teeth x-rayed at her next six month check up to see if the retained root tip is interfering with the positioning of the permanent tooth. If there is a problem her pediatric dentist will advise you on what treatment options are best at that time, but usually primary retained roots resorb with no complications at all.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Sherwood Dental Care.