Providing Gentle Root Canals For Kids
Children need to receive treatment when a tooth develops serious tooth decay or even an infection. Otherwise, the risk of discomfort and even premature tooth loss increases! Fortunately, we can help with an alternative to the traditional root canal. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about providing gentle treatment with a pulpotomy.
How Kids Develop Infected Teeth
When does a tooth become infected and how do you know? An infection means that harmful oral bacteria have reached the inner pulp, the nerve center that controls the flow of blood and nutrients to and from each tooth. This exposure could be due to an untreated cavity or possibly an injury to the tooth from an accident or teeth grinding. Kids may complain about toothaches, pain when eating or drinking, or aches in the face and head. There could also be a fever or swelling near the aching tooth. When they complain about aching teeth, please bring them in for an appointment as soon as possible!
Keeping Your Little Ones Comfortable
Our team will take a close look at the tooth with digital x-rays, which allow us to assess the presence and severity of the infection. From there, we can decide on treatment and may recommend a root canal alternative known as a pulpotomy. We know your child may be nervous, but we take time to ensure a comfortable treatment experience. Our team members will carefully explain the tools and procedures, answering your child’s questions and concerns. We can administer a local anesthetic to ensure your little one is comfortable. We also have sedation for kids with anxiety or special needs, helping them enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, often with little or no memory of the procedure at all.
A Root Canal Alternative
When your child is properly sedated and calm, we will open the tooth to remove the infected portions of the interior tissues. Once we do, we can add a special medicated filling material to seal the tooth. If the infection is severe, we may need to cap the tooth with a stainless-steel crown or a more lifelike NuSmile zirconia one. Once we do, this protects the tooth and ensures your child can eat and speak with ease and comfort.
If you have any questions about how we treat issues like infection and protect little smiles, or if you need to make an appointment, then contact our team today.
PDC Kids Provides Pediatric Endodontics
Our team wants to help treat issues like infected teeth to bring relief and keep your smiles healthy and full. To find out more about treating an infected tooth, call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Restorations for Kids