Baby Root Canal
Coronado, CA
A root canal is a common treatment used to address many kinds of tooth pain. When a child is suffering from a cavity close to the nerve, a pediatric dentist may recommend a baby root canal. A baby root canal includes removing all the decay, treating the nerve, and adding a crown.
While it may seem like an aggressive treatment, saving baby teeth can help prevent future oral health issues. Baby root canals are available at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. Call us at (619) 435 6231 to schedule an appointment to discuss whether this treatment is the right option for your child.
Prepping for the Process
If a baby root canal is deemed necessary, we can schedule an initial consultation with the pediatric dentist. During this appointment, parents can share their child’s medical history, give us a list of medications, and ask questions. We will go over the severity of the tooth decay, as well as treatment, sedation options, and after-care.
There are misconceptions that root canals are extremely painful, but this should not be the case. The procedure is acceptable for children, generally causes little discomfort, and can relieve tooth pain. The first thing parents can do is to stay calm and reassuring, so their child will feel comfortable during the procedure.
The pediatric dentist will talk to the child and parent about the procedure and why they need it. Parents can help reinforce that message and help the child understand what will happen. Telling the child that there will be medicine to keep them from feeling pain can be helpful
Parents should talk to the pediatric dentist about different options for anesthesia if their child needs extensive work, is very anxious, or has special health care needs. They will also want to ask about whether or not antibiotics will be prescribed after treatment and discuss any allergies the child might have that could affect both anesthesia and antibiotics.
“The first thing parents can do is to stay calm and reassuring so the child will feel comfortable.”
What to Expect
During a baby root canal, the pediatric dentist will first use a local anesthetic to numb the area thoroughly. After isolating the tooth, we will then remove any decay and assess the health of the tooth's nerve. If the removal of the decay results in exposure of the nerve, or nerve damage, we will remove the infected part of the nerve.
The pediatric dentist will then make sure the rest of the nerve is healthy. If it is, we will apply medicine to heal the nerve. The tooth will then be built back up and covered with a crown. The crown covers the tooth and gives it strength to keep it from fracturing later. It restores the child's tooth to its normal size, shape, and function to help it resemble the rest of the teeth.
“During a baby root canal, the pediatric dentist will first use a local anesthetic to numb the area thoroughly.”
The Healing Process
After a baby root canal, the child should be able to return to normal activities right away. Eating should be avoided until the area is no longer numb from the anesthetic. This prevents the child from accidentally biting the lip or cheek. If the tooth was severely infected, the pediatric dentist might prescribe antibiotics. The area around the tooth may be slightly swollen and sensitive for a few days, so an over-the-counter pain reliever designed for children can help make the child more comfortable.
Since the procedure does not require stitches, no extra care around the procedure's site will be necessary. The child should continue brushing and flossing twice a day as normal to maintain good oral health. The baby root canal will hold until the child’s permanent tooth comes through the gums.
“After a baby root canal, the child should be able to return to normal activities right away”
Post-Procedure Guidelines
Following a baby root canal procedure, patients should rest and avoid any strenuous activity. We may recommend medication and antibiotics to prevent inflammation or infection in the treatment area. The patient will need to go over specific instructions with the dentist before leaving.
Although it is rare, it is possible to get an infection after a baby root canal. Parents should call the pediatric dentist if their child experiences increasing pain, new inflammation or signs of infection around the tooth, increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, or an inability to chew on the tooth. These are all signs of a possible infection and should be treated immediately.
“Although it is rare, it is possible to get an infection after a baby root canal.”
When a Baby Root Canal is Necessary
A baby root canal and subsequent crown are necessary when the tooth has a large cavity or is broken. A filling is not durable enough to repair severely decayed or fractured teeth due to the risk of falling out, breaking, or wearing out. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a baby tooth with extensive decay is unlikely to be fixed with a traditional filling. However, it is possible to restore it with a stainless steel crown.
While it may seem silly to try to repair a baby tooth, keeping these teeth healthy until they fall out on their own helps the permanent teeth grow into their proper position. This can save on future treatment. Additionally, the enamel of baby teeth is thinner, so decay can spread more quickly between teeth. Crowns can not only save the decayed tooth but help prevent the spread of decay and infection to the rest of the mouth, including the child’s permanent teeth.
When damage to the tooth is less severe, a pulpotomy may be an option. This procedure removes just the damaged portion of the pulp, or all the pulp in the upper chamber of the tooth, without touching the root canals. The pulp is the interior of the tooth that contains the tooth's blood supply and nerves. The pediatric dentist will remove the damage, stabilize the rest of the healthy pulp, and possibly disinfect and seal the tooth with a crown.
If the pulp tissue is infected through the entire tooth, a pulpectomy, or baby root canal, is necessary. The pediatric dentist will remove all the pulp tissue from the tooth’s upper chamber and the roots, disinfect the root canals, and then fill and seal them. A crown will be used to protect the entire tooth.
Both of these procedures are approved for children and use materials designed for a child’s health and well-being. Furthermore, they offer welcome relief from tooth pain. Parents can go into the procedure feeling confident that it is the right decision for their oral health of their child.
“While it may seem silly to try to repair a baby tooth, keeping these teeth healthy until they fall out naturally helps the permanent teeth grown into their proper position.”
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Definition of Pediatric Dental Terminology
Baby Root Canal
A root canal performed on baby teeth to maintain the health of a primary tooth and the supporting gum tissue and bone.
Cementum
Cementum is that bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface on the root of the tooth.
Dental Pulp
Dental pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.
Dentin
Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.
Inflammation
A physical condition in an area of the body that becomes inflamed, red, swollen, hot, and painful, and may be part of an infection.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is the specialty branch of dentistry that focuses exclusively on children.
Permanent Teeth
The permanent teeth are the second set of teeth that emerge after the patient has shed their baby teeth.
Primary Teeth
Primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, are a patient’s first set of teeth.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is a procedure involving the removal of a portion of diseased or infected pulp in order to protect the healthy portions of the pulp and teeth still in the mouth.
Root Canal
The chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.