Are Baby Root Canals Always Necessary?

Baby root canals may be necessary if your child’s tooth has a large cavity that extends toward the root of a tooth or if the tooth becomes infected. In this review, we discuss baby root canal procedures and highlight when they are necessary and how they differ from other pediatric dental procedures.

Baby root canals: What are they and when are they necessary?

A baby root canal is a relatively common dental procedure that pediatric dentists perform. Whether a root canal is necessary depends on the severity of the patient’s oral health concern, their age, and whether the tooth is primary or permanent (among other considerations).

What are baby root canals?

A baby root canal is a pediatric dental procedure that is used to treat deep dental cavities and/or tooth infections in children. Specifically, it is performed on a primary (baby) tooth. The procedure involves the removal of the decayed and infected portion of the tooth, disinfecting it, and filling it with a material known as gutta-percha. A dental crown is typically placed after the procedure to further protect the baby tooth from additional harm or discomfort.

What are the benefits of baby root canals?

The primary purpose of a baby root canal is that it enables the child to keep their baby tooth and avoid its premature loss. Losing a tooth early due to severe decay and/or infection could cause dental development and orthodontic concerns. A baby root canal also helps alleviates the discomfort that the child experiences as a result of their decayed or infected tooth (or teeth).

When are baby root canals necessary?

A baby root canal primarily treats a deep dental cavity. This occurs when a minor hole in a tooth extends to the root and causes the dental pulp inside the root chamber to become decayed and/or infected. This can lead to sign and symptoms like:

• Severe tooth pain
• Severe tooth sensitivity
• A visible deep hole in the tooth
• Gum swelling

In more severe cases, the child may develop a fever, particularly if the infection begins to spread. If left untreated, the child may continue to experience severe discomfort and ultimately lose the primary tooth prematurely.

Baby root canals vs. kid dental fillings: What is the difference?

A baby root canal helps save and restore a tooth that is too severely damaged and infected to be treated through other, non-invasive treatments. A dental filling is primarily recommended if the cavity is minor to moderately sized.