3 Things to Know About Getting a Baby Root Canal from a Pediatric Dentist
Wondering whether your child needs to undergo baby root canal therapy? Pediatric dentists are dental specialists for children, making it so many parents are choosing to take their child to a pediatric dentist to provide their child with any necessary dental services. Parents can ask this dental professional any questions they have that pertain to their child’s oral health.
Why baby root canals are needed
While root canals do save teeth, preventing the need for one in the first place is preferred. Some of the more common signs that may suggest that a child would need to undergo this procedure to improve their oral health include red gums, swollen gums, tooth sensitivity, discomfort or pain and darkening in or around a tooth.
3 Things to know about what happens during a baby root canal
The list below includes information that every parent needs to know regarding the tooth canal process for children.
1. The child will be completely numbed
Children will be given a local anesthetic (or a higher level of sedation, as needed) before undergoing root canal therapy to repair the affected tooth. This means they will not feel anything during the procedure, as making children feel completely comfortable during their dental treatment is a priority for pediatric dentists. When it comes to the type of numbing treatment a child will need, it depends on the child, making it necessary for the parents and the dentist to make this decision beforehand.
2. The child will need a dental crown
Once the affected tooth has been successfully treated, a baby dental crown is placed over the tooth. Crowns are necessary to ensure that the tooth retains its integrity, as the reason for the therapy is to save the tooth from being lost forever. There are different types of dental crowns to choose from, making it necessary for the parents and the dentist to discuss these options before the therapy is performed. Common choices include metal crowns, ceramic crowns and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
3. The procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes
The entire root canal procedure will take an average of about 45 minutes to perform. It will depend on the extent of the tooth’s damage when it comes to how long the therapy will take. For parents who want an idea of how long it will specifically take their child to undergo the procedure, the dentist can let them know once their child has been fully evaluated. This is a short amount of time to repair a child’s tooth, as all teeth play an important role in the overall health of a child’s mouth.
Does your child currently need a baby root canal?
Now that it is understood why a child may need to undergo root canal therapy, parents know the importance of making a dental appointment as soon as possible to address any dental issues. It really is essential for parents to ensure their child’s first set of teeth are healthy, as healthy baby teeth support healthy permanent teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.littleteethbigsmiles.com or call Fara Bender DMD PA at (561) 763-9218 for an appointment in our Lake Worth office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentist in Lake Worth, FL.
Related Posts
There are certain questions that are important to ask your child’s pediatric dentist to find out about their skill, experience and ability to keep your child comfortable while at the dentist. By learning more about your child’s pediatric dentist, you can calm any anxieties you or your child have before a visit. Every pediatric dentist asks…
Children, who are particularly prone to tooth decay, should brush their teeth twice a day and make regular visits to a pediatric dentist. These healthy habits can help reduce the risks of developing cavities and serious dental issues. Using fluoride toothpaste is also an important step in childhood dental care that can add an extra…
Regular visits to a pediatric dentist who specializes in young patients are an important part of establishing good oral health practices. Many instances of severe dental conditions in children stem from either a lack of regard for proper hygiene or a lack of knowledge on the proper ways to care for a child's teeth. Check…
Trying to teach your kids about oral hygiene can be tricky, but with a little help from your local children's dentist, you can make the process much easier and have them wanting to keep their teeth healthy on their own. It all starts with knowing how to teach them about oral hygiene and how to…