A baby root canal is performed to save a baby tooth with a compromised pulp chamber. It often brings an end to any pain the child is dealing with. You might find yourself wondering why pediatric dentists are concerned with saving baby teeth since they will eventually fall out. The simple answer to that question is that baby teeth play an important role in holding space for permanent teeth. A baby tooth falling out prematurely can lead to teeth alignment issues and other problems when the child's permanent teeth erupt.
Root canals have a bad reputation as some scary procedure, but that is just a myth. Local anesthetics are administered prior to the treatment, so the child will not feel pain as the dentist works on their tooth. They only feel vibrations and pressure from the dentist working.
Root canal therapy is a safe treatment, and the excruciating toothaches caused by oral problems that require a root canal can leave a child in agony. Most patients feel a lot better after a root canal than they did when they walked into the clinic. Here are some simple things parents can do to prepare their child for a root canal:
Performing a baby root canal is a lot like working on permanent teeth. A pediatric dentist might use tools that are less intimidating when working with children so as to alleviate any fears they have. The dentist will inject the area around the damaged tooth with a local anesthetic. If the child has a fear of needles, a topical anesthetic might be used prior to the injection so the child barely feels anything.
The dentist will then use a dental drill to make a hole into the tooth's pulp chamber where the tooth's nerve and blood vessels are housed. Files of varying sizes are used to clean out the pulp chamber. The area is disinfected with medication and the tooth is sealed back up. Depending on how damaged the tooth is and its location, the dentist might rebuild it with a composite resin or cover it with a crown.
By the time the procedure is over, the child should no longer have excruciating toothaches. They might experience minor discomfort for a few days after the treatment while the tooth heals. Baby root canals are typically performed to save teeth that have been severely damaged or infected. It helps to prevent the need for an extraction.
Call our Richmond clinic if your child has an infected or badly damaged tooth. Our pediatric dentist might be able to save the tooth and end your child's ordeal with a baby root canal procedure.
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.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Richmond, TX.
Visiting a pediatric dentistry office with your child ensures his or her future relationship with oral hygiene and dentists, in general. Whenever your child suffers from oral injuries, consider making an appointment with your pediatric dentist to uncover any underlying problems. For instance, injuries to the tongue and teeth could indicate a deeper jaw or…
Fluoridated water is part of pediatric dentistry. It is a convenient and easy way to strengthen and protect teeth at an early age. Many areas have fluoridated water, which is a definite advantage. If you want to know why a dentist will likely recommend fluoridated water, here are the details.Studies show that almost all sources…
Nutrition is an important part of pediatric dentistry. Having balanced amounts of vitamins and minerals can strengthen and protect the teeth. Proper nutrients also fuel dental function. If you want to know how important nutrition is for your child’s oral health, here are the details from a pediatric dentistry professional.Children are still developing. They need…
Dental crowns are important in pediatric dentistry. Each primary tooth is a living guide for the development of permanent teeth. But baby teeth can also suffer from decay. So restoring these teeth is important for the general health of your child. If you want to know if pediatric dentistry uses dental crowns, here are the…
A kid-friendly dentist deals with the prevention and treatment of oral health concerns in children. Many also offer services to adults, but they take pride in offering a friendly environment for children, along with offering services that are more appropriate for young patients.Children have unique dental needs. It is important to keep a child’s primary…
A kid-friendly dentist educates children on ways to improve their oral hygiene at home. These lessons can help as children grow older and become more independent. A kid-friendly dentist chooses to focus on tailoring their office atmosphere and services to make it most comfortable for younger children.Every dentist has their own way of educating their…