Are Pediatric Root Canals Necessary?

An overlooked aspect of children's health is their baby teeth. However, preserving them for as long as possible helps their overall development. Pediatric root canals are employed to save the natural teeth and remove any threat to their overall structure.

What are pediatric root canals?

Pediatric root canals remove threats to the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber hosts the nerves and connective tissue of the tooth. When it becomes compromised in some way, it can lead to pain and eventual loss or death of the tooth.

The pediatric dentist performs a pediatric root canal by removing any decay or brittle structure surrounding the pulp chamber. They then access the pulp chamber and remove the nerves and connective tissue before disinfecting the new space. They then fill it with a material called gutta-percha and cover the entire tooth with a dental crown or cap. The crown restores the tooth's look, function, and protection until it is ready to fall out and make room for the permanent (adult) tooth. It is worth mentioning that children will not feel any pain during this process, as the area will be thoroughly numbed.

The role of baby teeth

Baby teeth are integral in a child's overall development. As children grow and develop, their face takes shape with the help of the jawbone and teeth. When a tooth is lost prematurely, it can lead to jawbone deterioration or further deformities as it adjusts to the new, dipped shape. Additionally, baby teeth serve as guides for adult teeth. Babies are not born with adult and baby teeth; they form over time. Therefore, the body decides when it is time for one to replace the other. When baby teeth are prematurely lost, the gums and jawbone see no reason to keep the space open and try to cover it with surrounding teeth. This results in misalignment and possible impaction of the adult teeth when they begin to grow.

Moreover, like adult teeth, baby teeth help with word pronunciation. This is crucial for children, as the are still learning to expand their vocabulary. When a tooth is lost prematurely in a specific area in the mouth, it can lead to speech difficulties. As the child grows, even if they eventually receive a replacement down the line, they may still have an impediment due to the psychological aspects behind it.

Lastly, baby teeth help expand diets. Children have colorful diets, but to be well-balanced, they must include various textures. Certain foods can pose a problem if children cannot safely break them down. When adult teeth erupt, children may have already become picky eaters due to being unable to expand their diets beforehand.

Conditions that warrant pediatric root canals

There are three primary reasons the pediatric dentist will recommend a pediatric root canal:

• Cavities
• Fractures
• Infection

Each of these reasons poses a significant threat to the child's pulp chamber. However, it is worth noting that sometimes, the pediatric dentist can save the tooth without a pediatric root canal if the damage is not too significant, but this also requires prompt intervention. Therefore, they encourage parents to maintain biannual dental appointments and be alert to changes in their child's oral habits, such as if they begin maneuvering around certain foods due to pain.