Home Dental Services Root Canals in Children: When are they Necessary?

Root Canals in Children: When are they Necessary?

by Laney Mosciski V
best children's family dentistry

As a parent, you want to ensure your child’s teeth are healthy and strong. However, sometimes a tooth may become severely damaged due to decay, trauma, or infection, which can prompt the requirement for a root canal.

If your child’s tooth is in danger of being lost due to decay or infection, you may consult with your children’s family dentistry whether your kid needs a root canal or not.

Read on as we discuss when root canals in children are necessary and how they can help protect your child’s oral health.

What Is A Root Canal?

A root canal is an endodontic treatment procedure used to save teeth that have been severely damaged by decay or trauma.

During the procedure, the dentist will remove the infected pulp from inside the tooth and then fill and seal it with a material called gutta-percha. Afterward, your child’s dentist will place a crown over the tooth to restore its strength and function.

By doing this, your child’s dentist can help them avoid losing their tooth due to severe damage or infection.

When Are Root Canals Necessary For Children?

Root canals are usually only recommended when there is severe damage or infection that cannot be treated with other procedures, such as fillings or crowns.

This could include issues such as an abscessed (infected) tooth, deep cavities that have reached the nerve of the tooth, severe trauma to the tooth, or broken teeth with exposed nerves.

In these situations, a root canal may be necessary in order for your child’s dentist to save their natural teeth and prevent further damage or infection from occurring.

best children's family dentistry
Best children’s family dentistry

What Are Some Of The Benefits Of A Root Canal In Children?

The biggest benefit of having a root canal done on your child’s teeth is that it helps preserve their natural teeth instead of having them extracted due to severe infection or damage.

Additionally, it helps prevent further damage from occurring by removing any bacteria that may be present inside their teeth and sealing off any open areas where bacteria could enter again in the future.

Having a root canal also helps protect your child’s overall oral health by preventing further complications, such as pain or discomfort when chewing or speaking.

Lastly, it can also help lower their risk of developing gum disease since gum tissue around an infected tooth is more likely to become inflamed and irritated if left untreated.

Alternatives To Root Canals

In some cases, alternative treatments like antibiotics or fillings may be sufficient to treat an infected tooth in children without having to resort to a root canal procedure.

However, these alternatives will not prevent future infections or stop existing infections from spreading further into your child’s mouth or gums.

For this reason, you must consult with your dentist before deciding on which course of action is best for your child’s dental health.  

Last Say

Before making any decisions about whether or not a root canal is necessary for your child, it is essential that you consult with your dentist and discuss all of the available options so that you make an educated decision about what is best for their long-term dental health.

With proper care and attention from both you and children’s family dentistry, your child’s smile will stay healthy and strong!

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