Pediatric dentistry sometimes uses treatments like root canals to treat primary teeth. Root canals are used to treat tooth infections and to save severely damaged teeth. Performing a root canal allows the dentist to treat the tooth without having to perform an extraction.
Primary teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth, and orthodontic issues like impacted teeth can develop if one falls out prematurely. Dentists can prevent this from happening by performing a root canal and covering the tooth up with a crown to prevent further damage to it.
A tooth infection is a serious oral issue that counts as a dental emergency. Quick treatment does not only safeguard your child's oral health, but it also protects the infection from affecting other parts of the body. Symptoms of a tooth infection include:
The process for performing root canals on baby teeth and adult teeth is almost identical. Pediatric dentistry makes the process easier for children by providing an atmosphere that makes them feel comfortable. Little things like using less intimidating or less noisy equipment can make a huge difference when working on children.
Root canals start with the dentist administering a shot of anesthetic. If the child is scared of needles, the dentist can use a painless needle or topical anesthetic to minimize the pain the child feels during the treatment.
Once the anesthetic has kicked in, the dentist will drill a small hole into the child's tooth. This hole serves as an access point that allows the dentist to reach the pulp chamber. Dental files are used to remove the nerves and blood vessels in the patient's tooth, and medication is inserted into the pulp chamber to complete the treatment. The dentist then seals the pulp chamber and the hole with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. The procedure is finalized by applying a composite to rebuild the tooth or covering it up with a crown.
There is no recovery period after a root canal so the child should not experience pain or discomfort afterward.
In some cases, the dentist may have to extract the child's tooth to safeguard their health. An oral infection can spread to other parts of the body and it does not have to travel much to get into the brain. A vital organ like the brain or heart becoming infected with bacteria can be life-threatening.
Dentists only recommend extracting baby teeth when the risk of the infection spreading is great. Baby teeth hold space for the permanent ones, so extracting them is typically a last resort.
Contact our Rockville clinic if your child is exhibiting the symptoms of a tooth infection. It is important to have tooth infections assessed and treated by a dental specialist as soon as possible.
Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Bleeding from any area of the body is concerning, and bleeding gums are no exception. There are some simple causes for gums to bleed, including a new flossing routine or brushing too hard. A more serious concern for gum bleeding is periodontitis, also known as gum disease. Gum disease has many symptoms, and individuals who…
A dental implant is the gold standard of dental restorations. It provides stability and natural-looking results. Understanding the benefits of implants can motivate you to see your general dentist about it. Here are the different oral health advantages of a dental implant.The titanium rod acts as the dental root. It merges with the jawbone and…
When people experience bleeding gums while brushing, they might not believe there is much cause for alarm because it is a common problem. However, this bleeding may indicate a growing gumline infection that could lead to serious complications and have a negative impact on oral health. Those who experience this issue can reverse or even…
Bleeding gums are the most common oral health issue that people experience. You might think you can ignore your bleeding gums or think the issue is not serious. Research shows that your periodontal health does impact your health in other ways. Often bleeding gums is the most obvious sign that all is not well in…
Bleeding from any area of the body is concerning, and bleeding gums are no exception.…
A dental implants is the gold standard of dental restorations.
When people experience bleeding gums while brushing, they might not believe there is much cause…
Bleeding gums are the most common oral health issue that people experience. You might think…
Taking care of clear braces is easy with consistency and the help of a general…
One of the most common indicators of dental troubles is bleeding gums. Patients often first…