Often, especially because our dentist in North London focuses on preventative dentistry for kids, we can avoid more extensive and intense dental treatments such as root canals on baby teeth. However, there are circumstances where a primary tooth is damaged to the point that our dentist will recommend root canal therapy near you.
This can be surprising for many parents; since baby teeth will fall out anyway, what’s the point in saving them? You may not realize it, but those little baby teeth serve many important functions, including helping your child speak and chew and maintaining space for the permanent teeth to erupt. That is why if it isn’t close to the time when a baby tooth would fall out naturally, it is beneficial to try and save it with root canal therapy at Wharncliffe Family Dental.
When is a Root Canal on a Baby Tooth Needed?
Things such as getting hit in the face while playing, cavities, and tooth decay can damage the pulp in a baby tooth and lead to infection and inflammation. If not treated, this infection can spread throughout the mouth, causing excessive pain and damage.
The only way to determine if a child needs a root canal on their tooth is to visit a dentist near you. At Wharncliffe Family Dental, we use advanced technology to get a clear image of the inside of your child’s tooth and decide if they require root canal therapy in North London. However, if your child suddenly starts experiencing symptoms such as throbbing pain, tooth sensitivity, a small bump on their gums, or significant pain around a tooth, this may indicate that your child needs a root canal.
The main reason we perform a root canal on baby teeth is to maintain the tooth structure of the primary tooth and keep the supporting bones and tissues safe. A root canal can prevent infection and ensure that the developing permanent teeth underneath stay healthy.
What Happens During a Child’s Root Canal Procedure?
Root canals have gotten a bad reputation for being painful and scary, but with modern techniques and technology, we can ensure that your child won’t feel a thing during their procedure. For most patients, root canal therapy is no worse than getting a regular dental filling. If needed, such as in the case of very young children who require root canals, or those who are very anxious, we can offer sedation dentistry to make the procedure go even more smoothly.
To start, our dentist will numb your child’s tooth and the area surrounding it. They will then use small tools to remove the damaged or infected portion of the nerve and pulp tissue. The area will then be sterilized and sealed. A small dental crown is often used to cover and protect the tooth, restoring its shape and function.
Our team at Wharncliffe Family Dental will always treat your child’s dental needs as conservatively as possible and do what we can to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. If a procedure such as a root canal is necessary, we will provide you with all the information you need to feel comfortable moving forward with this procedure. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our team of dedicated dental professionals today.
We look forward to seeing your little one’s smile.