When a child needs oral surgery, parents understandably want to know they are in the right hands — a provider who understands how children’s anatomy differs from adults, how to manage a child’s comfort and anxiety through the process, and how to protect the developing dentition from the moment of treatment through recovery.
Pediatric oral surgery is not simply dentistry done on a smaller scale. It requires clinical judgment shaped by years of focused training in children’s growth, behavior, and oral development. Our pediatric dental services at Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry in Palo Alto include a range of oral surgical procedures performed with precision, child-centered care, and the full support of a team that treats young patients every day.
Dr. Michelle Haghpanah and Dr. Reena Grover are board-certified pediatric dentists with hospital privileges at both Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford and Kaiser Santa Clara. This level of credentialing is not standard among general dentists and reflects clinical training and institutional trust that goes well beyond routine practice.
Families throughout Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, and Atherton choose Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry when surgical care is needed because they know both providers have the background to manage even complex cases safely and comfortably.
Every surgical consultation at Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry begins with a thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation. We review the procedure in clear terms with both parent and child, answer every question, and document informed consent carefully. For children with dental anxiety or those undergoing longer procedures, our safe sedation protocols are tailored to the child’s age, weight, health history, and the complexity of the planned treatment. Post-operative care instructions are reviewed in detail before you leave the office and are available for reference at home. Routine recovery visits are scheduled when needed to confirm healing is progressing as expected, and our team is always reachable if concerns arise after a procedure.
Following any surgical procedure, keeping up with preventive dental visits is important for monitoring healing and ensuring the surrounding teeth and tissues return to normal health.
Oral surgical needs in children vary widely depending on age, dental development, and the underlying condition being addressed. According to the AAPD’s best practice guidelines on pediatric oral surgery, special considerations including the child’s developing anatomy, behavior guidance, and peri- and post-operative management are essential to safe outcomes. The following are the most common procedures we perform at our Palo Alto office.
Tooth extractions are among the most frequently performed pediatric oral surgery procedures. They may be recommended when a primary tooth has long roots preventing natural shedding, when extensive decay threatens surrounding teeth, when a tooth is damaged beyond restoration following trauma, or when crowding requires removal to allow proper eruption of permanent teeth. Our team uses local anesthesia to ensure your child feels no pain during the procedure, and sedation options are available for children who need additional support to remain calm and comfortable. When a primary tooth is removed before the permanent successor is ready to erupt, we evaluate whether a space maintainer is needed to hold the gap open and prevent drift of neighboring teeth.
A frenum is a small band of tissue that connects the lip, cheek, or tongue to the gums or floor of the mouth. When a frenum is too tight or positioned in a way that restricts movement or creates problems, a frenectomy is recommended. In infants, tongue tie release is one of the most common early interventions and can have meaningful effects on breastfeeding, speech development, and airway function. In older children, an upper lip frenum that extends too far down between the front teeth can cause a gap and contribute to gum recession. We perform frenectomies with precision, and when appropriate, use laser dentistry technology that reduces bleeding, minimizes discomfort, and shortens healing time compared to traditional methods. Many children are back to normal activity within a day.
Impacted teeth have not erupted into their correct position and are blocked by bone, tissue, or adjacent teeth. Canines are among the most commonly impacted permanent teeth in children and, when left unaddressed, can damage the roots of neighboring teeth and disrupt overall arch development. Supernumerary teeth are extra teeth that develop in addition to the normal set and can obstruct eruption of permanent teeth if not identified and removed at the right developmental stage. Our team uses digital X-rays and, when indicated, advanced imaging to assess the exact position and relationship of impacted or supernumerary teeth before determining the most appropriate surgical approach.
Untreated tooth decay or periodontal disease in children can lead to dental abscesses and odontogenic infections that require more than a filling or root treatment to resolve. When infection has spread into surrounding soft tissue or bone, surgical drainage may be needed alongside antibiotic therapy to eliminate the source and prevent the infection from advancing. Prompt treatment is especially important in children, where facial infections can progress quickly. Our team evaluates these situations thoroughly and coordinates care to keep your child safe and comfortable through the process.
While most unusual growths or lesions in a child’s mouth are benign, any suspicious tissue warrants evaluation. We examine oral lesions as part of routine care and, when a lesion does not resolve on its own or presents clinical features that warrant investigation, we perform a biopsy to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Most biopsies in a pediatric dental setting are minor outpatient procedures done under local anesthesia.
Dr. Michelle Haghpanah and Dr. Reena Grover bring board-certified pediatric training, hospital-level privileges, and a calm, child-focused approach to every surgical procedure they perform. Whether your child needs a straightforward extraction or a more involved oral surgery evaluation, our team provides the same level of preparation, precision, and communication that families across the Peninsula have come to rely on.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation and get a clear, thorough evaluation of your child’s surgical needs.
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