Adults are not the only ones benefiting from root canals. Although most people do not know it, root canals are often performed on young children with cavities. Decay can begin to occur on a child's baby tooth after it has regularly encountered sugars that are easily found in both food and beverages. It may not seem like it is a huge deal because the baby tooth will eventually fall out, but it is something that needs to get taken care of to protect the child's tooth and gums while also preventing more issues for him or her when those adult teeth begin breaking through. If you suspect that your child does have a cavity, you need to make him or her an appointment with a children's dental care specialist.
It Starts With the Examination
The pediatric dentist will not know what type of treatment your child is going to need until performing an examination and taking several X-rays. Small cavities are often taken care of with a filling for young children. However, if the decay is too severe for a filling to adequately protect the tooth, the dentist may recommend a kid-friendly root canal that involves a simple step-by-step process to protect the tooth.
Treatment to Save the Tooth Begins
After the examination, treatment can begin to help save your child's tooth, preventing him or her from going without a tooth for several years until that adult tooth starts growing in its spot. The dentist will need to carefully remove any of the damaged tissue before covering the remaining portion of the tooth with a small crown. While adults typically have a custom crown created, the pediatric dentists have a variety of crowns in children's sizes that are already available and ready for use. The crown is often made of a stainless steel material and may be silver or white. The color of the crown depends primarily on the location of the tooth. If it is in the front of the mouth, the crown may have a white coating on it. If it is in the back of the mouth, a silver filling may suffice.
When a young child has a decaying tooth, a root canal may be necessary. The process involved helps save the damaged tooth while removing all the decay. If your child does need to have this procedure done, the dentist may recommend general anesthesia to prevent the child from experiencing both anxiety and discomfort throughout the procedure.
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