Root canal therapy is a treatment option that can ease your child’s pain while also preserving their tooth. If you’re wondering whether root canal therapy for children is a safe and effective treatment option, here’s everything you need to know.
Root canal is a procedure that removes the infected or damaged pulp from the root of your child’s tooth. The dentist will seal the tooth after performing the root canal operation. A baby dental crown is used regardless of a primary tooth to give the tooth back its strength.
Why is a root canal necessary for a 4-year-old?
Primary teeth are essential for your child’s jaw and mouth development. Missing a baby tooth, like missing an adult tooth, can cause problems with speech and eating. They serve as guides for the proper placement of the adult teeth that are developing. When a baby tooth is lost too soon, the adjacent teeth frequently begin to shift into the open space. This can cause your child’s teeth to become crowded and crooked. It can also interfere with your child’s chewing, delay the development of a permanent tooth, and distort the development of speech, necessitating extensive and costly orthodontic treatment in the future.
The best thing about getting a root canal for milk teeth as soon as possible is that you have an opportunity to save your child’s teeth before they become susceptible to decay!
A root canal saves the tooth from needing to be removed and prevents future issues with the jawbone or nearby teeth that may be damaged by decay.
Signs that indicate your child might need a root canal
- Excessive pain is one of the more common indications that a root canal is required. This can be a dull ache or a sharp pain. It may also appear to throb. Pay attention if your child frequently holds one side of their face, has trouble chewing food, or wakes up in the middle of the night sobbing. The discomfort may start off being modest, and if the infection worsens, it could become more severe. Do not wait for the pain to become more severe. Visit the emergency dentist for kids immediately.
- Another sign is sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures. Keep an eye out if your youngster complains about being sensitive to hot or cold meals. Don’t overlook this symptom. Take your child to your pediatric dentist in Dubai for a complete examination.
- Signs of infection such as gum tenderness and swelling may indicate an infection. Swelling can range from mild to intense, and in severe cases, it can flare to your child’s face or neck. Fever, swollen lymph nodes, and general discomfort are also signs of an infection. In some instances, a sac of pus can be seen inside your child’s mouth. These might be symptoms of a severe tooth infection, and if not addressed, could lead to complications.
- Your child’s severe tooth infection may cause fever. If neglected, your youngster may eventually need other difficult procedures (such as tooth extraction). Don’t wait for the fever to go away naturally, rather, visit the best dentist for kids as soon as possible.
Because every case is unique, not every child will exhibit the same symptoms. Some children may not exhibit any symptoms at all. As a parent, you should therefore inform your dentist of all the symptoms you notice.
Signs your dentist may notice
Take your child to visit a Pediatric dentist in Dubai every six months. Regular dental visits can help keep their teeth healthy and help dentists detect problems early on. There are several signs that your child requires a root canal that an untrained eye may miss, including:
- Changes in the soft tissue
- Dark tooth color
- Signs of drainage from infection
- Asymmetry
During your child’s biannual checkups, your dentist will be able to detect these issues. If the dentist believes your child may require a root canal, they will most likely conduct additional testing.
What will take place during your child’s root canal?
In contrast to adult root canals, which remove the entire pulp tissue, a baby root canal usually involves only partial nerve treatment, making the procedure much faster and less invasive for children. Depending on your child’s age, the Pediatric dentist in Dubai may examine the area with x-rays. The images will demonstrate the severity of the infection and assist your provider in determining the size and shape of the root canals.
Your child will be given local anesthesia to keep them comfortable during the procedure. A root canal for milk teeth entails removing the damaged tooth pulp from the crown and root. The dentist will then use a small drill to create a small opening on the crown to access the pulp and remove the damaged pulp. After that, your dentist will clean the inside of your child’s tooth and place a filling. As the tooth falls out, the filling material is absorbed during the reabsorption of the root.
The dentist will then follow it up by placing your choice of white (zirconia crown) or stainless steel on the tooth to protect it. The primary tooth may eventually fall loose even if it has a baby dental crown on it since only the top of the tooth is joined to the crown. The crown and entire tooth will come out together when the tooth falls out. This will occur exactly as if the tooth had never received treatment.
How can you get your child ready for a root canal?
- Your child’s dentist will advise you on how to prepare your child for this procedure. Discuss the procedure with your child and why it is necessary. You can let your child know that you will be visiting the clinic with them and that the dentist will be performing a simple procedure. Let them know that the process is easy and can be completed quickly.
- During the procedure, your children may feel some discomfort, and at this point, you should urge them to express their thoughts openly. You might reassure them that experiencing something new is normal and that it is ok.
- Encourage your child to adhere to the dentist’s directions. You can achieve this by informing them that the dentist may occasionally ask them to open their mouth or perform other actions.
- Ask your dentist to use laughing gas or nitrous oxide to make the procedure very comfortable for your child.
- Find the best Pediatric dentist in Dubai for your child’s root canal treatment.
Root canal is a simple and better option for your child. Dr. Yasmin Kottait is here to answer your questions about the procedure and guide you with all the information that you will need for your little one’s root canal treatment.
About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.