Root canal treatment on baby teeth

If after your visit to the dentist, the doctor has recommended root canal treatment for a baby tooth, you may wonder why. After all, a temporary tooth will fall out anyway and make way for a permanent tooth. Keeping a baby tooth in your mouth until the time comes for it to fall out is almost as important as keeping a permanent tooth. The early loss of such a tooth can lead to chewing difficulties for the child but more importantly, to an unfavorable alignment of the permanent teeth. This entails additional costs and the need for braces.

 

Difference between baby teeth and permanent teeth in root canal treatment

 

All teeth, permanent or deciduous, have 2 outer shells (dentin and enamel), and a space where the dental pulp (the nerve) is located. Although both types of teeth are made of the same basic materials, permanent teeth may have a thicker enamel layer and a more complex internal structure, unlike baby teeth. They can be affected by deep decay or trauma and can cause your child to experience pain.

Dental pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, components that are important for the formation of temporary and permanent teeth. Once mature, the pulp is no longer needed and can be replaced (if necessary) with sterile root canal filling materials used in endodontics. Although it is popularly believed that root canal treatment hurts, this is not true. It is necessary even if it is performed on baby teeth because it aims to preserve the tooth until natural exfoliation, to maintain the space necessary for proper alignment of the permanent teeth.

 

What symptoms can the child show?

 

As far as root canal treatment on baby teeth is concerned, the pediatric dentist is the most indicated in solving these problems. An endodontist or general practitioner can treat but the experience in communicating with children is on the side of the pediatric dentist and he can generate a pleasant and relaxing experience for the little ones.

At the first visit the pediatric dentist will evaluate the child's condition, examine the teeth and perform tests that will determine the degree of damage and the tooth causing the problem. In general, pain in stim (cold, hot, sweet) that subsides quickly does not always need endodontic treatment. On the other hand, a constant, high intensity pain that subsides only when analgesics are administered, indicates extensive pulp damage and the need for root canal treatment.

Keep in mind that even though we are talking about a temporary tooth, as in adults, an X-ray is necessary.

 

How does root canal treatment work?

 

This procedure is performed in the office, under anesthesia, so that the patient is as relaxed as possible and does not feel anything. Before root canal treatment begins, the dentist isolates the tooth with a dam. Access into the tooth is made with small drills and once in the pulp chamber, the nerve is removed. 

The dentist thoroughly cleans the canals, disinfects using antiseptic solutions and dental laser and finally seals the canals with gutta-percha and paste.

In the second stage, the tooth is filled using a composite material or cement. In baby teeth, the material that seals the canals is biocompatible but also resorbable, which means that depending on the case, the procedure may only need to be repeated to reseal the canals until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt on the arch.

 

How to take care of your baby's baby teeth 

 

To prevent cavities and avoid root canal treatment, it is important that:

• Dental brushing to be done daily, morning and evening. Special toothbrushes and toothpastes for baby teeth should be used and the toothbrush should be changed every 3 months.
• The child must wear protective gloves when practicing different sports to avoid possible dental fractures and unwanted accidents.
• Regular dental visits (once every 6 months) to avoid costly treatments and long sessions. In this way, the dentist can modify the child's brushing technique to achieve better results and can identify and treat early caries early. These dental caries can be treated painlessly and without anesthesia using dental lasers and your child's comfort and a pleasant experience at the dentist are ensured.

For a professional consultation and a pleasant experience we are waiting for you in our dental clinic Life Dental Spa where you will meet pediatric dentists who are interested that your child will leave the dentist's office happy, without pain and without fear of the dentist.