The most common procedure performed in pediatric dentistry is baby root canal therapy. Many parents are shocked when they find out their child needs a root canal. Most people think of it as a procedure for adult teeth, but baby teeth also require root canals when they are infected or seriously damaged.
Baby teeth are a lot more important than most people think. Pediatric dentistry care strives to save baby teeth when possible since they serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. Baby teeth falling out earlier than they should leads to permanent teeth erupting improperly. The result of that is misaligned or crooked teeth, and that makes it harder to remove plaque from surfaces.
Plaque contains bacteria and the acids they produce. These acids eat away at enamel and lead to the formation of tiny holes called cavities. Tooth decay at this point can be easily treated with dental fillings, but when left untreated, it will continue to expand until it reaches the pulp chamber where the blood vessels and nerve of the tooth are contained. These soft tissues play an important role in the development of teeth but they are no longer needed once the tooth is fully developed. Once the pulp chamber is compromised, oral bacteria can make it there and infect the tissues.
In order words, a tooth falling out prematurely makes a child more vulnerable to teeth alignment issues and tooth decay. As a result, the child is more likely to need more pediatric dentistry treatments like root canals and fillings in the future. Teeth falling out prematurely can also lead to problems with speech development. Thankfully, with the help of a pediatric dentist, a baby root canal can be performed to save any teeth that are in bad shape.
Outlined below are a few of the signs that indicate a need for a baby root canal.
Root canals have a bad reputation as some scary procedure that is painful, but that is simply not the case, especially in a pediatric dentistry setting. Patients rarely experience any pain when root canals are performed since a local anesthetic is injected into the tissues around the tooth and pediatric dentists make an extra effort to keep the child comfortable.
Once the local anesthetic has been administered, the pediatric dentist will use a small dental drill to make a hole into the child's tooth. The dentist then uses files to clean out the soft tissues in the pulp chamber. If the tooth's roots are infected, they are cleaned as well.
To finish, the pediatric dentist closes up the damaged tooth with a rubbery material called gutta-percha, and the tooth might be protected with a stainless crown. These are prefabricated crowns that are mostly used for children, so the child gets their permanent crown right after the root canal.
Call or visit us to set up an appointment with a pediatric dentistry practice.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
If your child has recently gotten dental sealants, it is wise to get a toothbrush that cleans the teeth and does not irritate or damage the sealant. The kind of toothbrush that will remove plaque, reach all regions of your child’s mouth and be best for their oral health depends on their particular dental requirements.…
Dental sealants are a preventive treatment that can greatly benefit young children who have just had their permanent molars come through. Sealants can also benefit children with baby teeth, particularly those vulnerable to decay. The following article discusses the numerous benefits of dental sealants for children.Dental sealants for children reduce the risk of dental decay…
While most people are familiar with dental sealants as a preventative treatment for a child's teeth, it is essential to recognize their broader applications. Dental sealants can serve as a remedy for sensitive teeth or even reverse the early stages of a developing cavity. This treatment can also significantly improve the health of a tooth…
In addition to excellent oral hygiene and frequent dental examinations, dental sealants are another preventative strategy that protects teeth from decay. In the United States, tooth decay and cavities remain the most prevalent pediatric dental conditions. Despite their significance, many parents are unaware of the purpose of dental sealants and their application for protecting a…
If your child has recently gotten dental sealants, it is wise to get a toothbrush that cleans the teeth and does not irritate or damage the sealant. The kind of toothbrush that will remove plaque, reach all regions of your child’s mouth and be best for their oral health depends on their particular dental requirements.…
Dental sealants are a preventive treatment that can greatly benefit young children who have just had their permanent molars come through. Sealants can also benefit children with baby teeth, particularly those vulnerable to decay. The following article discusses the numerous benefits of dental sealants for children.Dental sealants for children reduce the risk of dental decay…