When Root Canals Are Necessary in Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is an important part of your child’s health. Kids of all ages should regularly see the dentist for checkups and necessary treatments. Neglecting this care can lead to serious problems with the child’s oral wellness and overall health. You might not think of a root canal as an essential procedure. However, there might be times when the dentist in pediatric dentistry would recommend this approach.

Understanding what happens during a root canal

Root canals can have a negative reputation as being unpleasant and painful. The truth is that the dentist can make this procedure as comfortable as possible and have only minor side effects. Before starting this treatment, the dentist will numb the patient with a local anesthetic. The dentist will then drill into the affected tooth and remove the pulp, a chamber that houses nerves, vessels, and tissue. The dentist will clean out the tooth, removing any decay and bacteria.

Once the tooth is clean, the dentist flushes it with a saline solution. Medication may be placed in the area to prevent infection or further decay. The dentist will seal the hole and then place a crown over the tooth. This stabilizes and strengthens the tooth.

The tooth is broken or damaged

Not every tooth problem requires a child to visit a pediatric dentistry office for a root canal. However, this treatment is often required when there is physical damage to the tooth. When a tooth breaks or is cracked, it could expose the root. This increases the likelihood of bacteria getting deep into the tooth, causing an infection. Untreated, the infection could cause intense pain and eventually spread throughout the mouth and body. A root canal will remove the infection and seal the tooth.

The cavity is too large for a filling

Fillings can usually do an effective job of treating a cavity. When the cavity is severe, a root canal at the pediatric dentistry office may be the only way to repair the issue. Large cavities will get deep into the root and nerve of the tooth, making brushing and fillings insufficient treatments. Removing the pulp and thoroughly cleaning the tooth will help the child feel relief from the pain and decay.

Pain and sensitivity

Small cavities can show up without a patient knowing about it. Only an X-ray at the pediatric dentistry office can detect one. Larger cavities are more obvious and usually manifest through prolonged pain and sensitivity to heat or cold. These sensations often indicate that the person needs a root canal because the root and nerves have been affected.

What baby root canals are

A traditional root canal involves removing the infected pulp and replacing it with a filling. This process can keep the tooth intact. Baby root canals in pediatric dentistry can provide the same type of dental repair for the child’s baby tooth. This treatment can keep the decayed baby tooth intact as the permanent tooth develops. The baby tooth can stay in place and help the baby with proper speech and jaw development. It can also guide the permanent tooth to its proper position as it erupts.

Benefits of a baby root canal

This treatment is important in preserving the primary tooth. It can relieve dental pain and improve the appearance of the damaged tooth. A baby root canal in pediatric dentistry can prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth and improve the tooth’s function. It can maintain the tooth’s alignment as well. This prevents other dental problems, such as jaw issues, from developing.

Dental pain may become too intense in some cases. This level of discomfort may convince parents to bring their child in for dental extraction. But it is important to keep the primary tooth in place. A baby root canal can keep the primary tooth in place while the permanent teeth develop and start to erupt. It can also relieve intense dental pain.

Signs a child needs a baby root canal

The most common sign that parents must watch out for is soreness or pain in the mouth. The parents must bring the child to the dentist for evaluation, especially if the pain does not go away. It is important for the child’s health and well-being to receive pain relief right away. Pain can prevent the child from speaking or even eating well. The affected tooth may have temperature sensitivity, which can push the child to stop eating. Pediatric dentistry treatment in the form of a baby root canal can remove this pain and protect the affected tooth from future damage.

Make an appointment at the pediatric dentistry clinic

Do not put off taking your child to the dentist if these issues are bothering them. You should not wait until your child is older to get this relief. The dentist has the knowledge and training to correct these conditions by performing a root canal on young patients of all ages. Call the dentist today and schedule a time to visit and take care of these serious matters.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

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