Baby Root Canals Advances in endodontic therapy in pediatric dentistry make it possible to repair and strengthen severely damaged or decayed teeth. These procedures are important to your child's overall oral health because their baby teeth play a key role in their development. Our team at Duggan Endodontics makes every effort to repair and preserve your child's primary teeth in the event that they become decayed.Toothaches are common in young children, but frequently they are nothing to be concerned about. Sometimes, however, a toothache is more severe, and is the result of tooth decay and cavities that have been left to spread. When this happens, our pediatric dentists here at Duggan Endodontics perform what is called a pulpotomy to save your child's tooth. What Can Your Child Expect During a Pulpotomy?A pulpotomy will require your child to receive anesthesia or one of our child-friendly sedation methods, such as nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. We will go over all of the details with you beforehand so you and your child know exactly what to expect. Reassure them that this is being done to help them, and that when it is over their toothache will be gone. Once the child is comfortable, we will carefully remove a portion of the top of the infected tooth, exposing the pulp chamber. Using special tools, we will extract the damaged pulp and then seal the tooth up again. Finally, a crown will be placed atop the tooth to protect it. The whole procedure typically takes under an hour and your child should feel little to no discomfort. What Is a Pulpotomy Procedure?A pulpotomy is a restorative procedure that is used when the pulp of your child's tooth has become infected. This infection is called pulpitis and occurs as the result of a severe cavity in your child's tooth. During a pulpotomy, all of the pulp is removed from the crown of your child's tooth. The crown is the area of the tooth that is visible above the gumline. The pulp contains connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, which is why pulpitis can be so uncomfortable for your child. After your child receives medication to keep them comfortable, our professional will drill out the decayed portion of the tooth. The infected pulp is then removed. The void left by the pulp will be filled with dental cement. The tooth will then be fitted with a crown to protect your child's newly repaired tooth. How a Pulpotomy Can Help Out Your ChildIf your child has an infected pulp, then they are almost certainly in a great deal of pain. While there are many health benefits to a pulpotomy, including preventing the loss of the tooth, as far as your child is concerned the greatest benefit will simply be relieiving their debilitating toothache. Make sure to discuss this with your child prior to the pulpotomy. While many children can be unnerved by medical procedures, especially dental procedures, explain to them that this will get rid of their toothache, and that afterward they will no longer be in discomfort. Aside from the relief your child will feel, there are other benefits too. We prioritize saving every tooth, including baby teeth. Primary teeth play an important role in helping your child learn how to talk and enunciate. They help your child eat food, especially solid foods, and they keep open spots for the adult teeth waiting to erupt. |
