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Root Canals for Kids
Pearl City, HI




Root Canals for Kids provided by in Pearl City, HI at


Cross section diagram of a tooth showing the rootChances are, you have probably heard of a root canal procedure. This intervention is necessary if your tooth's pulp has become infected and is a means that allows our team to save your natural tooth. While many of the same procedures can be performed on your child, they also have unique needs. Fortunately, our professionals at Oahu Pediatric Dentistry are trained in all of the latest techniques and procedures to provide your child's root canal treatment.

One way that we accomplish that is through a pulpotomy. Pulpotomies give our team the opportunity to relieve your child of any discomfort while also saving their baby teeth. The baby teeth are very important in your child's natural development and should be protected from premature tooth loss whenever possible. A pulpotomy is similar to a root canal but has a few differences that make it more suitable for children.



What Is a Pulpotomy?



A pulpotomy is a dental procedure geared towards saving a decayed and infected tooth. It is also necessary if the repair of a deep cavity exposes the pulp of your child's tooth. The pulp is a soft material that is below the hardened enamel. It contains nerves, tissue, and blood vessels.

During a pulpotomy, also known as a baby root canal, the infected pulp is scooped out of the crown of your child's tooth. The crown is the portion of the tooth that protrudes through the gums and is visible. An infected pulp can ultimately kill the root of your child's tooth. The infection can also lead to discomfort and inflammation. A decayed baby tooth treatment does not remove all of your child's pulp, as is done in an adult root canal because in root canal therapy for kids, they need some of it to keep their tooth alive.



The Purpose of Primary Tooth Root Canal



You may wonder as children lose their milk teeth why we should go to the effort of saving one? However, these teeth are very important in the development of your child's oral health as they guide the permanent teeth into the correct positions. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the other teeth may drift into space. This can be a problem when the permanent teeth come through as there may not be enough space and the teeth will emerge crooked.



Signs My Child May Need a Baby Root Canal



Dental pulpitis, also known as tooth inflammation or toothache in children, is caused by decay or injury to the tissue at the center of a tooth. The most common symptom is a pain in response to hot and cold stimuli, but other signs such as fever might indicate an infection, so be sure you don't ignore this. If your child does have dental pulpitis (and they're not just sensitive teeth), it's important that they see a dentist who specializes in pediatric endodontics who may recommend pulpotomy to remove the infection, alleviate your child's discomfort and save the tooth.



What Is the Procedure Like?



When your child comes in for their visit, our professionals will examine their teeth. They will take digital X-Rays, which are necessary to guide our team during the pulpotomy. If your child's infection is severe, they may also prescribe an antibiotic medication.

When you and your child return for the procedure, the first step is to administer a local anesthetic. The decayed area of your child's tooth will then be removed with a dental drill. Our professional will scoop out the infected pulp. The void will be filled with dental cement.

The last step of pulp therapy for children involves placing a crown over your child's tooth. While there are several crown materials available, our team will likely recommend a stainless-steel crown. This is the most cost-effective option. Since your child's baby tooth will eventually fall out anyway, applying a more expensive crown material can be wasteful.

Your child will be kept pain-free during the procedure thanks to the anesthetic. They may experience some mild tenderness for a few days after the procedure, which is normal. Our professionals will give detailed aftercare instructions, such as which foods to avoid during the recovery process. As long as you follow this guidance, your child should be feeling back to normal in no time.



Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Pulpotomy?



Any child who has a tooth that has become infected and has an inflamed pulp in its crown is a good candidate for a pulpotomy. Children who are battling chronic health conditions that make them more susceptible to bacteria infections typically should not have pulpotomies. If a tooth has an inflamed pulp that extends down out of the crown, it likely cannot be saved with a pulpotomy. Instead, it will likely need to have a pulpectomy, a similar process where the entire pulp is removed and replaced with a special cement. If the tooth is too weak or damaged to the point that neither a pulpotomy nor a pulpectomy can save it, it must be extracted.



After the Procedure



It's natural to be nervous when your child is having any kind of medical or dental procedure. There is no need to be too worried about this procedure as a pulpotomy is not an invasive procedure and will only require minor anesthesia.

After undergoing the treatment, you will be given instructions as to what types of food your child should consume while recovering from the pulpotomy. The dentist may also want to talk to you about brushing, flossing, and other techniques that will help to maintain your child's healthy mouth and prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems in the future.



Root Canal Therapy for Kids in Pearl City



If your child has been experiencing pain in a tooth, sensitivity to food and drink, or has any swelling in the area around the tooth, they may be in need of a pulpotomy. Contact Oahu Pediatric Dentistry today at (808) 456-4555 to schedule an exam so we can determine the exact cause of the problem.

Office:

850 Kamehameha Hwy
Suite 260
Pearl City, HI 96782-2656

Phone:

(808) 456-4555

Hours:

Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm
Sat: 7:30am - 12:30pm



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Root Canals for Kids | Oahu Pediatric Dentistry | Pearl City, HI
Oahu Pediatric Dentistry, 850 Kamehameha Hwy, Suite 260, Pearl City, HI 96782-2656 + (808) 456-4555 + oahupediatricdentistry.com + 1/28/2025 + Page Terms:pediatric dentist Pearl City HI +