When your child suffers tooth decay, it’s possible for the center of the tooth known as the pulp to become infected. For this kind of infection, there‘s no better way to quickly treat the pain and swelling than a pediatric root canal procedure from the expert endodontists at Lakeside Endodontics in Succasunna and Parsippany, New Jersey. The team can help your child get the insufferable pain of a root canal infection behind them. If you have any questions or have been referred by your child’s dentist or doctor, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
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What is a root canal?
A root canal can refer to either a part of a tooth or to the procedure used to repair that part of the tooth if it becomes infected or inflamed.
Beneath the hard enamel layer of your teeth that you see every day, each tooth has a chamber of what’s called pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves. The root canal, or leg, of the tooth extends down from the pulp and anchors your tooth into your jaw.
However, when tooth decay occurs, it’s possible for the pulp of the tooth to become inflamed or infected. This is usually fixed with a root canal procedure, where the pulp is removed from the tooth to clear the infection and the tooth is sealed. The team at Lakeside Endodontics emphasizes a holistic approach to dentistry that extends to root canal procedures.
Are root canal procedures painful?
Root canal procedures have gotten this unfortunate reputation, but the pain that gets your child to the dentist’s office in the first place is worse than any pain the root canal procedure causes.
Because the pulp of their tooth contains sensitive nerves, an infection there can result in pain and inflammation. The root canal procedure itself only causes a similar amount of discomfort as getting a normal filling for a cavity.
How is a pediatric root canal different from other root canals?
While each child’s teeth are different, there are a few general differences to be aware of with a pediatric root canal versus other types of root canals.
Performing a root canal on a child takes not only a great bedside manner but also requires specialized training. The endodontists at Lakeside Endodontics are trained in the specifics of treating your child’s teeth, and in making sure the adult teeth that have yet to erupt remain healthy and uncompromised by the infection necessitating the root canal.
Usually, a pediatric root canal can be done in just one visit to the office, unlike many adult root canals, and the materials used to fill and seal the tooth are often slightly different.
Why is it important to treat my child’s infected baby tooth?
It’s important to let baby teeth fall out naturally, not as the result of decay and infection. In addition to the considerable pain caused by a root canal, your child’s tooth could develop an abscess, which is an infection that may potentially spread to their jaw if left untreated.
Furthermore, your child’s baby teeth ensure proper jaw, bite, and tooth formation, and if a baby tooth falls out prematurely, the adult tooth that follows may be unhealthy or weak from day one.
To learn more about pediatric root canals at Lakeside Endodontics, call the office or set up an appointment online today.