Is Root Canal For Children Safe?
Tooth decay and cavities are prevalent among children, leading to tooth loss if not treated promptly. For kids, taking care of their oral health should be paramount, and it needs proper treatment. In such situations, a root canal treatment is most preferred, where the dentist removes the diseased pulp in your child's mouth. Have you ever wondered if a root canal is safe for children? Here's everything you need to know about root canal treatment for children.
Why Do Children Need Root Canal Treatment?
Adults usually require a root canal procedure if they have a decayed or infected tooth. However, children also sometimes need a root canal treatment, especially if they experience the same. Children, too, require root canals because of rotten teeth or cavities. Pulp tissues are found in all teeth, which contain nerves and blood vessels that eventually fill out the tooth roots. These roots of the teeth fix it firmly with the gums and jawbone. But once your kid gets tooth decay or infection, it leads to a diseased pulp, which needs removal. To remove these pulps, dentists perform root canal treatment on the child's tooth to eliminate them and secure your child's oral health.
How Is Root Canal Treatment Done On Children?
Root canal for children involves three main approaches. It depends on the infection or tooth decay condition, based on which the dentist will choose the approach. The three approaches are the following:
Pulpotomy: It's also known as a partial root canal, where the pediatric dentist first takes the X-ray of the infected tooth. It helps the dentist to see if the infection is limited to the upper part of your kid's tooth. The pediatric dentist tends to remove the infected and damaged pulp from the tooth through pulpotomy, keeping the healthy pulp intact.
Pulp therapy: This approach to the root canal is applied when there is minor damage to the pulp. If your kid's infection is early, then pulp therapy is done on children. In this treatment, the pediatric dentist removes decay without touching the pulp by administering antibiotics inside the tooth.
Pulpectomy: It is a full-fledged root canal procedure most effective for children. Dentists opt for pulpectomy if your kid's tooth is badly damaged due to infection. In this procedure, the dentist applies local anesthesia to your kid's affected tooth, so they don't feel any pain. Although a complex process, tooth disinfecting takes place, shaping the canal. After the tooth filling, a dental crown is placed on the infected tooth.
Root Canal For Children: Is It Safe?
Children are mainly prone to tooth decay and cavities because of their eating habits. Early detection of these oral health conditions in children is vital for improving their oral health. Although children don't need root canals all the time, in worst-case scenarios, they need one. It's nothing to worry about- Thanks to sedation dentistry and advanced technologies, root canal treatments are painless. The pediatric dentist will ensure your child does not go through extreme pain during the procedure. They will administer local anesthesia on the tooth to keep it numb during the root canal. Your child will not feel anything while undergoing the procedure. Once the root canal treatment is done, the pediatric dentist will prescribe necessary pain-management medications for relieving the discomfort they might experience post-treatment.
The Final Verdict
A root canal treatment is a successful way of saving your kid's tooth from decay and infection. It's also important to remember that their teeth become brittle after the procedure and need protection with a crown. Addressing these issues for your kid will help them secure their oral health. If you notice any signs of tooth decay or infection in your kid, schedule an appointment with your dentist and visit the dentist's office immediately.
