Baby Root Canals in SE Edmonton
Cavities in baby teeth can grow quickly because of how thin the enamel is. After the decay reaches the nerve inside of your child’s tooth there are only two choices: pull the tooth or get a baby root canal.
How Does a Baby Root Canal Help?
Since the nerve inside of the tooth is infected, a simple filling is not enough. Filling over an infected nerve can trap the infection inside, leading to chronic abscesses and pain.
With a baby root canal (pulpotomy) we’re able to preserve the tooth and eliminate the source of pain. This step allows your child to keep the tooth for a longer amount of time until it’s due to be replaced with a permanent tooth.
During a pulpotomy, we review all or a portion of the nerve inside of the baby tooth, medicate that area and place a protective crown on top of it.
Why Not Pull the Tooth?
Early extraction of a baby tooth can result in multiple orthodontic complications, including
- Impacted adult teeth
- Crowding
- Gaps
- Teeth erupting at angles
Preserving natural tooth placement limits orthodontic complications, ensuring healthier oral development. A baby root canal is the only option—in instances of severe decay—to avoid removing the tooth.
Preparing for Treatment
A paediatric pulpotomy and crown will use local anaesthetic to numb your child’s tooth. Plan to remind your child not to chew their lip or cheeks in the few hours before the numbing medication stops working. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help to ensure a pleasant recovery during the first day or so.
Cavities that are restricted to the outer layer of teeth can usually be repaired with a filling. But if we can see the decay reaching into the nerve on an X-ray, it is simply a matter of time before the tooth abscesses.
Pimple on the Gums? Contact Us
If you see a small pimple on your child’s gums, they likely need a baby root canal. Contact us straightaway to reserve an exam.
CONTACT US
Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.
