Pediatric Dentistry · patient case question
What is the treatment?
Patient case: Case: a bump above tooth F
Scenario: A 5-year-old girl fell and lost tooth E a month ago. Three days ago a bump appeared on the gingiva over tooth F, which is now darker than the neighbouring teeth.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Extraction of the affected primary tooth
- A. Fluoride treats caries risk. It does nothing for pulpal necrosis and an established infection.
- B. Occlusal reduction relieves traumatic occlusion, which is not the problem here.
- C. Monitoring leaves an active infection sitting over a developing tooth germ, risking enamel defects or Turner hypoplasia in the successor.
- D. Correct. An infected primary tooth with an active draining sinus threatens the developing permanent successor. Extraction — or pulpectomy where the tooth is restorable and the infection is contained — resolves the source; with a draining tract and a nearby succedaneous tooth bud, extraction is the safe choice.
Note: Track space after extraction. Tooth F is a primary canine, so loss before eruption of the permanent successor may warrant space maintenance.
Practice Pediatric Dentistry questions Pediatric Dentistry study notes