You know that your child’s first teeth will fall out eventually and be replaced with permanent teeth. So how important could those baby teeth really be? Those first teeth are actually quite crucial in the proper development of permanent teeth, and shouldn’t come out prematurely. Some children, however, end up with seriously decayed baby teeth that need extensive treatment in order to avoid extracting them.
A root canal procedure has the best potential for saving a decayed baby tooth, but it might sound like an extreme procedure for your squirmy, easily frightened little kid. We’re here to put your mind — and your child’s — at ease. Here are some of the important reasons a root canal can be the best treatment option:
A decayed tooth hurts and can get worse
Your child could be experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or even pain. The decayed tooth might be chipped or cracked, exposing pulp. When this happens, simpler treatments can’t really help. The infected pulp has to be removed and a crown placed on the tooth until the permanent tooth erupts.
The procedure for children is simpler, faster and safe for permanent teeth
Your dentist usually doesn’t need to use special instruments when performing your child’s root canal, which makes the procedure faster. And the baby crown is placed right after the root canal treatment is completed. The material we use for a child’s root canal is biocompatible, which means it won’t negatively affect the incoming permanent tooth.
Your child should experience minimal pain
Your child’s affected tooth will be numbed during the treatment. The affected nerves of the decayed tooth will be removed, so your child shouldn’t have much pain after the root canal treatment. They may have sensitivity for about two weeks, and then the crowned tooth should function normally.
Talk to us about your child’s problem
Each case is unique, so we can examine your child’s baby teeth and decide on a course of action that works for both of you.
