Pediatric Nerve Treatments With A Baby Root Canal

While the term “root canal” may sound a bit frightening, essentially, a baby root canal is really just nerve therapy designed to maintain the integrity and health of a baby tooth and the developing adult teeth.

In the past, if your child had a permanent tooth with a diseased nerve, he or she would probably lose that tooth. Today, with advanced nerve therapy treatment, your child’s tooth can be saved. When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can not only injure your child’s jawbones but is also detrimental to his or her overall health.

Nerve therapy is a very common procedure that typically involves one to three visits. During treatment, the dentist will remove the affected tissue. Next, the interior of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed. Finally, the tooth is filled with a dental composite. If the tooth has extensive decay, your dentist may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breaking. As long as your child continues to care for his or her teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, the restored tooth can last a lifetime.