What is Pediatric Endodontics?
Pediatric endodontics includes multiple procedures that treat infection, disease, and trauma. The specific procedure that we use depends on the problems impacting the tooth and whether the tooth is a permanent or baby tooth.
A pulpotomy is similar to a root canal, but it’s performed in baby teeth and doesn’t remove all the pulp in a tooth. It’s a misconception that infection or injury in baby teeth doesn’t require treatment. The infection can spread throughout the mouth if isn’t treated, and the child will experience a lot of pain and discomfort. A pulpotomy removes the pulp at the crown of the tooth and leaves the pulp near the roots to ensure the tooth has the nutrients it needs to grow and develop.
Since part of the pulp remains, a pulpotomy is only used in cases where the infected pulp is at the crown of the tooth. Root canal treatment, also known as a pulpectomy, is necessary when the damage to the pulp extends through the whole tooth to the roots. We remove all the pulp before sealing the tooth.
There’s also a regenerative endodontic procedure that focuses on cleaning the pulp and encouraging the tooth to produce new pulp. This option is ideal for kids who have an extensive infection in a permanent tooth that’s still developing. An apicoectomy removes a portion of the tooth’s root and any infected tissue. We may suggest an apicoectomy when a conventional root canal fails or if the tooth has a canal that isn’t accessible.
What are the benefits of Pediatric Endodontics?
Children with diseased or injured teeth can experience numerous benefits from pediatric endodontics.
Endodontic procedures prevent the spread of infection
Dental infection that’s left untreated may spread throughout the child’s mouth, affecting the health of their other teeth and oral tissues. It can even travel to the rest of the child’s body, causing serious illness. Pediatric endodontics removes the infection so the child remains healthy.
Kids can keep their natural teeth
It’s ideal for a child to keep their natural teeth (even baby teeth) whenever possible. Baby teeth hold space in the child’s jaw for the adult teeth to grow in. If they’re prematurely lost, the child’s other teeth may try to move into the space, causing spacing problems and crowding. All teeth, including baby teeth, help a child chew and speak properly.
Endodontic procedures alleviate pain and discomfort
Children who are frequently in pain caused by decaying or injured teeth often find it hard to focus on school and other activities. Or, they may avoid eating and drinking because these activities cause discomfort. Pediatric endodontics addresses the source of their pain (the infected or inflamed pulp), reducing their discomfort while restoring the look and functionality of their tooth.
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