Baby Root Canal Treatment: Bringing Back the Healthy Smiles

Have you heard about pediatric root canal treatment before?

A pediatric root canal is a dental procedure in pediatric dentistry. This is similar to the adult root canal and treats several oral health problems in kids.

The procedure removes the infected tooth pulp to control the spread of infections and complications. A root canal is generally not recommended in the case of children unless necessary. 

A dentist recommending a root canal to your kid can be bothersome for the parents. However, understanding the procedure can help parents prepare and make wise decisions. 

If your child exhibits signs of oral health problems, book your appointment with the renowned pediatric dentists at Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.

So, let’s get into the details and learn more about the kid’s root canal procedure. 

What is the Baby Root Canal Treatment?

A baby root canal is also known as a pediatric pulpotomy. It is a dental treatment in which dentists surgically remove the infected or diseased tooth pulp from the primary teeth.

The tooth pulp is the mass of connective tissues containing nerves and blood vessels in the center of your tooth.

The teeth pulp fills the root of the teeth, which is responsible for anchoring the teeth into the gums and jawbones. If the tooth pulp is infected, it can lead to complications such as infection spread and the formation of abscesses (pus pockets).

So, a pediatric root canal is viable if the child’s tooth is infected or damaged due to cavities or injuries. The oro-dental trauma is also quite common, affecting 20% of children up to 12 years of age.

Signs that Your Child Needs Root Canal 

Diagnosing tooth decay problems in the early phase can help you to choose an appropriate treatment plan. A few signs that indicate that your child needs root canal treatment are as follows:

• Severe tooth pain
• Teeth discoloration
• Problem while chewing food
• Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
• Speaking difficulty
• Swollen gums or bleeding
• Bad mouth odor
• Oral inflammation
• Fever and fatigue
• Tooth abscess/ a pimple-like structure

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, talk to their dentist for an early diagnosis and timely treatment. If you don’t go for the root canal in time, you might have to go for teeth extraction and other similar invasive procedures. 

Suggested Read: Are Cavities Contagious in Kids and Young? 5 Ways to Prevent

Why Does Your Child Need a Root Canal?

Your child may need a root canal treatment for the following reasons:

• To treat the infected tooth
• Retain the remaining primary tooth structure 
• Save the remaining teeth from infections
• Protect the gum and teeth bone from damage
• It helps you avoid complicated dental problems

Protecting your teeth from damage helps you to avoid complicated dental procedures and save money. 

Suggested Read: 7 Home Remedies to Treat Cavities in Baby Teeth Naturally

8-Steps Pediatric Root Canal Procedure

Your dentist visualizes the damaged tooth part via dental X-ray and will decide the need for root canal treatment. A pediatric root canal procedure involves several steps and may require two sessions.

Here is what the root canal procedure looks like:

Step 1: Anesthesia

The first step is the administration of local anesthesia to ensure the child’s comfort during the procedure. For this, the dentist may use a sedative injection or numbing cream.

Step 2: Dental Dam 

To isolate the infected tooth from the surrounding teeth, dentists apply a dental dam or rubber dam on it. A dam is a sheet of latex that protects the diseased teeth and ensures the patient’s comfort during the procedure.

Step 3: Crown Opening

The next step in the pediatric root canal treatment is the opening of the tooth crown. The crown opening provides easy removal access to the infected pulp area.

Step 4: Removal of Infected Pulp

The dentist removes the infected pulp from the window using special dental instruments. 

Step 5: Cleaning of the Site

After removing the pulp, the dentist cleans the infected tooth area and sterilizes it to free it from infection-causing bacteria. Proper cleaning helps to minimize the chances of future infections. 

Step 6: Temporary Filling

Now, the dentist places a temporary filling to fill the space created by the pulp removal. After filling, they close the tooth crown space to minimize re-infection chances. 

The procedure usually takes a few hours to complete. After a few days, the dentist schedules your second appointment to complete the procedure, which consists of the following steps:

Step 7: Removal of Temporary Filling

The dentist will remove the temporary filling once your child shows no signs of infection.

Step 8: Permanent Filling 

Now, a special permanent filling is placed instead of the temporary filling material, and a pediatric crown brings the teeth back into their original state. 

Though the procedure is painless, your child may feel pain and discomfort as the effect of anesthesia fades after some time. You might experience some visible changes, such as changes in your teeth color. 

Suggested Read: Timely Fillings and Extractions: Crucial for Kids Dental Health

Choose Baby Root Canal for Better Oral Health

A baby root canal is a surgical procedure that comes under pediatric dentistry. It helps to cure several dental disorders in children and protect their oral health.

After root canal procedure, make sure to follow good oral hygiene practices. Also, keep visiting your dentist at intervals.  

The only alternative to pediatric root canal treatment is complete tooth extraction. Extraction, however, comes with its challenges, such as the need for space maintainers. 

FAQs

Is Root Canal Safe for Kids?

A pediatric root canal is uncommon, yet it’s entirely safe for children. 

What is the Minimum Age for a Baby Root Canal?

There is no recommended minimum age for the treatment. Dentists can even perform it on two-year-old if necessary. 

What is the Cost of a Baby Root Canal Procedure?

The average cost of the procedure ranges from $250-$1400. However, the price varies depending on the procedure’s complexity, choice of medical facility, etc.