Why Choose Dr. Kemper

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether it’s a fractured tooth or a tooth that’s been lost, place the tooth or the piece of tooth in a small glass of milk and contact your dentist immediately.

A sealant is a material placed on the surfaces of permanent teeth to fill in the deep pits and fissures on these teeth to prevent food and liquid exposure and create a smooth surface that is easier to clean. These can significantly reduce the chance of tooth decay.

Generally speaking, all baby teeth need to be restored if cavities are present. Unless, the tooth is going to fall out within 6 to 9 months. However, this needs to be verified by your dentist using dental x-rays since there’s a wide variation when kids lose their teeth.

Most children begin losing their baby teeth between 4 and 6 years of age and are finished losing them between the ages of 11 and 13.

This is by far one of the best pediatric dentists in Louisville. Every time we come here the staff is always smiling and courteous. They’re excellent with the kids and a parent’s mind is at ease. We also know exactly what occurred during the visit and what next steps need to be taken if any. Love them.

Chris Fell

Whether you need a simple tooth extraction or have a baby with a tongue-tie, any time your child needs specialized care from an oral surgeon, it can be a nerve-wracking experience.

Dr. Kemper is experienced in Pediatric Oral Surgery and has helped many kids in the Louisville, KY area.

His experience and expertise allow him to take care of even the tiniest patients.

His gentle approach to oral surgery puts both mom and child at ease.

Dental Extractions

There are some cases where a tooth is too damaged and for your child’s overall oral health, it needs to be pulled by an oral surgeon.

This could be for several reasons:

  • A crowded mouth: If you have too many teeth in a small space, sometimes a dental extraction is the best way to give your teeth growing room.
  • Tooth decay: Sometimes a tooth begins to decay, and it needs to be removed to prevent further damage.
  • Infection: If there is an oral infection present, the best remedy is to remove the tooth itself.
  • Risk of Infection: It’s best if you can eliminate the risk of infection before it happens, by removing damaged teeth.

There are several reasons for a tooth extraction which can be performed by an oral surgeon in Louisville, KY.

A tooth extraction can happen one of two ways depending on the condition of the tooth. Both ways remove the teeth effectively, both are performed by an oral surgeon. One is a simple extraction; the other is a surgical procedure.

  1. Simple tooth extraction – A simple tooth extraction does not require sectioning or splitting the tooth itself nor removal of bone surrounding the tooth.
  2. Surgical tooth extraction – Surgical tooth extraction does require the tooth to be sectioned and occasionally bone tissue to be removed.

Dr. Kemper in Louisville, KY has had much experience in oral surgery and will advise you on which method will be required and if any sedation is needed. After the tooth is extracted, Dr. Kemper will give you aftercare tips to help the healing process along.

This typically includes:

  • Use ice packs to reduce swelling
  • Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed
  • Rest – don’t allow your child to play rough after the surgery
  • Eat soft foods the day after and do not use a straw for 24 hours
  • Leave the extraction site alone for 24 hours – no rinsing or brushing the area

Once you get your child home, if they experience excessive bleeding, fever, chills, nausea, or swelling in the days following surgery, call our office immediately. These could be signs of an oral infection.

Treatment of Tongue & Lip Ties in Infants

A tongue or lip tie occurs in 4 to 11% of newborns and is a procedure an oral surgeon deals with almost every day.

For babies with a tongue-tie or lip-tie, it can pose significant problems to both the baby and the breastfeeding mother.

In these situations, there’s a problem with something called the lingual frenulum, and needs to be assessed by an oral surgeon.

A tongue or lip tie is something that should be handled by an oral surgeon in Louisville, KY.

What’s the Lingual Frenulum?

It is a small stretch of tissue that connects the underside of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. It might be too short and tight, or attached way up near the tip of the tongue. This occurs naturally before the baby is born and varies in severity.

For some babies, it is subtle and doesn’t affect their ability to eat or swallow, and doesn’t need to be fixed. For others, it can cause significant issues and will most likely need to be treated by an oral surgeon.

Depending on the severity, it may or may not need to be treated.

If your baby exhibits any of the following signs, it is a good indicator they have a tongue-tie or lip-tie that should be treated by an oral surgeon:

  • Can’t latch well
  • Tends to chew more than suck
  • Doesn’t gain weight the way you’d expect
  • Feeds for a long time, takes a short break, then feeds for another long stretch
  • Is fussy when trying to feed
  • Makes a clicking sound while feeding
  • Seems hungry all the time

Dr. Kemper is experienced in Pediatric Oral Surgery in Louisville, KY, and treats tongue-ties and lip-ties on a regular basis using a Frenectomy or tongue clip.

A Frenectomy is basically just snipping the frenulum.

This is often a very simple procedure, performed by an oral surgeon, that requires a small amount of anesthesia.

There’s minimal discomfort, very little (if any) blood, and your baby is good to go right away. This is soothing and healing to both baby and mother.

FAQs About Pediatric Oral Surgery

How long does it take to heal after having a tooth pulled?

As soon as the tooth is extracted by an oral surgeon, a new one will begin to grow in its place. The initial healing period may take up to 2 weeks, but most patients feel better within a few hours.

Why should I not use a straw after a tooth extraction?

When you have a tooth removed by an oral surgeon, the blood will clot and heal on its own. Using a straw can actually loosen or even remove a blood clot, causing a dry socket which can lead to an oral infection.

After a tooth extraction, your Louisville, KY oral surgeon will help you to prevent a dry socket.

Can tongue ties grow back?

No, but they can reattach if you aren’t diligent with the post-surgery oral exercises as recommended by the oral surgeon.

How does a tongue-tie affect breastfeeding?

Babies who are born tongue-tied have problems securing a latch to the breast. They will naturally try to overcompensate by increased suction, which can be painful for mom. Eventually, they will completely detach without an adequate feeding, leading to a supply and demand issue. In some cases, the baby is not able to latch and feed at all.

Why Choose Dr. Kemper for Your Child’s Pediatric Oral Surgery

  • Unmatched Service: After being in the industry over 36 years in Louisville, KY, Dr. Kemper has much experience in oral surgery, so he knows a thing or two about treating kids’ smiles. With his friendly approach and calming demeanor, he is able to calm even the most timid child.
  • In-Office Sedation: Dr. Kemper is one of the only pediatric dentists in Louisville, KY that offers in-office sedation as a treatment option. This can save you money and save the child from the potentially traumatic experience of a hospital room.
  • Emergency Dental Care: Whether it’s 3pm or 3am, Dr. Kemper is available to help you and your child through any dental trauma. He personally screens each call and determines the severity and best course of action.
  • All-in-One Dentist: Why go to several offices to get the oral care your child deserves, when you can get it all done at one office! Dr. Kemper offers more than just oral surgery, he is a full-service office delivering examinations, cleanings, restorative treatments, and orthodontics.

Your Favorite Tooth Fairy

Dr. Kemper in Louisville, KY is known as the dentist kids love.

So why go to an oral surgeon you don’t know, when your child already loves and trusts Dr. Kemper!

He makes every procedure relaxing and comfortable with minimal pain and over-the-top customer care. For kids, going to the dentist to have your teeth pulled isn’t their favorite activity, so we take extra measures to ensure their comfort and safety through each procedure.

Give us a call to schedule your consultation.

Parent Trusted. Kid Approved.

Let your child & their smile grow up with Dr. Kemper.