You want your child’s smile to be as healthy as possible. That is why you maintain regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings for them every six months. However, as diligent as you might be in making sure they brush, floss, and properly care for their teeth, problems can arise that you may not expect. If an infection forms in a particular tooth, even at an early age, they may be required to undergo what is known as a baby root canal. Read on to learn more about this treatment and what questions you should ask when meeting with their dentist.
What is a Baby Root Canal?
A baby root canal or pulp therapy as it’s commonly known is a procedure that is required when a child has an infection in the inner layer of a tooth, near the nerve. The treatment addresses the problem area by removing the infection so that the structure remains in place until it naturally falls out on its own.
What Signs Indicate a Child Needs a Root Canal?
Unless your child complains of pain, you may not know if your little one needs a root canal. This is why it’s important to look for signs that will indicate a need for professional examination and treatment.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Greater tooth sensitivity when it’s exposed to hot or cold temperatures
- Gums that appear darker than before
- Gums that are swollen
- Increased tooth pain
What is the Procedure Like?
Whether you’ve had a root canal at any point in your life, you may wonder if the procedure is any different for a child. When learning that your little one requires this type of treatment, you can expect their pediatric dentist to ensure their safety and comfort just the same.
Not only will your child receive local anesthesia to numb their gums and the surrounding area around the tooth, but they’ll also receive sedation dentistry if required.
The dentist will then use child-appropriate instruments to remove portions of the tooth that are damaged or decayed, including the pulp, before sterilizing the inner layers. Once the tooth is sealed, a crown will be put into place to offer maximum protection against reinfection until it’s time for the tooth to fall out.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Naturally, one of the most concerning issues parents and patients wonder about is whether the procedure will cause any pain. The good news is that it will not. Your child will receive local anesthesia, so they will feel no pain. Also, dental sedation can help reduce additional nerves or concerns so that your little one remains calm in the dentist’s chair.
Once the anesthesia wears off, there might be some discomfort, but this can be remedied with over-the-counter medication.
As a parent, it’s normal to be concerned about the idea of your child undergoing a root canal or pulp therapy. However, you can trust that their pediatric dentist will treat the problem tooth with the greatest of care from beginning to end.
About the Authors
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids in Allen, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are board-certified pediatric dentists and fathers. Treating smiles of all types, they often see children who require more than a dental filling or crown. Even those with primary teeth need more invasive procedures, one of which is pulp therapy. Similar to a traditional root canal, this procedure can be completed in-house, ensuring your child remains safe and comfortable the entire time. Visit our website or call (469) 663-0098 if your little one needs help to address an infected tooth.