Root Canals on Baby Teeth
Root Canals on Baby Teeth
Rescuing Little Smiles
If a baby tooth has decay that has entered the nerve, or pulp, of the tooth, or if the tooth has suffered trauma, it may cause hot and cold sensitivity or constant pain. A root canal might be recommended to preserve the tooth until it is ready to come out on its own and be replaced by its permanent counterpart.
Saving a baby tooth instead of extracting it can help prevent issues with self-confidence, chewing, speech development, and bite alignment.
If your child has a broken tooth with exposed pulp, complains of hot/cold sensitivity or pain in a tooth, suffers trauma to the mouth, or if you notice a sudden change in your child’s eating habits, call Dentistry for Children as soon as possible.
The Procedure
Just like a root canal on an adult tooth, the doctor will remove the diseased pulp tissue from the tooth, disinfect the area, and fill the root chamber with gutta-percha, a rubber-like natural material.
After the root canal, a small crown or other restoration will placed on the tooth to help support the remaining tooth structure until it is ready to fall out on its own.
There may be some slight post-procedure sensitivity, but since the nerve is removed, there shouldn’t be any pain. Make sure to maintain a regular home care schedule to prevent the need of a root canal on any other baby teeth.
Children's Dentistry:
Studies have shown that the earlier a child receives their first dental exam, the less dental treatment was needed during their youth. We recommend oral exams for children when their first tooth erupts.
Routine cleanings and exams are necessary to make sure your child's teeth stay healthy throughout childhood. Our doctor recommends two cleanings a year to maintain optimal oral health.
Pediatric x-rays allow our doctor to get a view of your child's teeth and jaws that they can't see with their eyes, while keeping radiation exposure to a minimum.
Regular fluoride treatments help reduce your child's risk of developing cavities and can remineralize areas where decay is starting. Our doctor believes regular fluoride treatments are an important part of treatment for most children.
Frenectomies are a valuable procedure that corrects tongue-tie and prevents future periodontal problems caused by tissue pulling on the lip or gums. Dr. Herman George can perform this procedure in-office with just a little anesthetic.
Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF, is a safe, noninvasive treatment that can stop decay in its tracks postponing the need for a permanent restoration, at least for a little while.
Restorative dentistry includes fillings, crowns and other procedures that help restore a tooth to its original function. Summit Dental offers many restorative procedures to help your child smile with confidence!
At Summit Dental, we explain all procedures so that your child can know what to expect at their appointment. If your child has severe anxiety, we offer sedation options to put them at ease.
Root canals on baby teeth can relieve a child's pain and preserve a tooth until it's ready to come out on its own. Our doctor can help you decide if a baby root canal is right for your child.
Our practice's treatment rooms are designed to accommodate children with special needs so we can administer care in an environment that is accessible and comfortable for your child.
Sports mouthguards prevent dental injuries when worn during contact sports or other potentially dangerous activities. A custom-fit mouthguard can save your child's teeth and prevent extensive dental treatment.
Tooth-colored fillings offer a durable, more natural looking option for your child's restorations. Made from composite resin, they are strong, durable, and perfect for smaller teeth.
While we focus on helping your child keep their teeth for a lifetime, sometimes an extraction is necessary. Whether it's extensive decay, overcrowding or an impacted tooth, Dr. Herman George can help you and your child understand the procedure and answer any questions you have.
Children's Dentistry:
Parents know that teen years present unique challenges. When it comes to dental health, rapid changes influence adolescents moving into adulthood. Cavity activity can suddenly accelerate with more independence in food and drink habits. Concurrently, oral hygiene activity sometimes becomes inconsistent. A good partnership with our team can set your teen up for a lifetime of benefits.
Deep crevices run across the chewing surface of molars. Even though a toothbrush can skim across these surfaces, the narrow grooves trap bacteria beyond the bristles. Cavities may form and end up abscessing without warning, destroying valuable tooth structure. Protecting the grooves with a bonded sealer might be worth exploring.
Metal grins fill the pages of many high school yearbooks. But braces offer benefits at many different stages of life. Identifying problems at an early age often allows ideal timing in orthodontic treatment, resulting in a perfect outcome. Monitoring growth and development at your child's regular preventive visits is just part of our commitment to your family's dental health.
Studies have shown that the earlier a child receives their first dental exam, the less dental treatment was needed during their youth. We recommend oral exams for children when their first tooth erupts.
Routine cleanings and exams are necessary to make sure your child's teeth stay healthy throughout childhood. Dr. Maher recommends two cleanings a year to maintain optimal oral health.
Pediatric x-rays allow Dr. Maher to get a view of your child's teeth and jaws that they can't see with their eyes while keeping radiation exposure to a minimum.
Regular fluoride treatments help reduce your child's risk of developing cavities and can remineralize areas where decay is starting. Dr. Maher believes regular fluoride treatments are an important part of treatment for most children.
Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF, is a safe, noninvasive treatment that can stop decay in its tracks postponing the need for a permanent restoration, at least for a little while.
Restorative dentistry includes fillings, crowns, and other procedures that help restore a tooth to its original function. Dentistry for Children offers many restorative procedures to help your child smile with confidence!
At Dentistry for Children, we explain all procedures so that your child can know what to expect at their appointment. If your child has severe anxiety, we offer sedation options to put them at ease.
Root canals on baby teeth can relieve a child's pain and preserve a tooth until it's ready to come out on its own. Dr. Maher can help you decide if a baby root canal is right for your child.
Our practice's treatment rooms are designed to accommodate children with special needs so we can administer care in an environment that is accessible and comfortable for your child.
Sports mouthguards prevent dental injuries when worn during contact sports or other potentially dangerous activities. A custom-fit mouthguard can save your child's teeth and prevent extensive dental treatment.
Tooth-colored fillings offer a durable, more natural-looking option for your child's restorations. Made from composite resin, they are strong, durable, and perfect for smaller teeth.
While we focus on helping your child keep their teeth for a lifetime, sometimes an extraction is necessary. Whether it's extensive decay, overcrowding, or an impacted tooth, Dr. Maher can help you and your child understand the procedure and answer any questions you have.