.png)
What is a Pulpotomy?
If your little one has complained of pain when eating or drinking cold, hot, or sweet foods and beverages, it may mean that they have pulpitis.
One of the best ways to resolve this issue is by performing a root canal on your baby — also known as a pulpotomy. Keep reading to learn how our pediatric dentistry team at Starship M Kids Dentistry can help diagnose your child’s condition and resolve it as quickly as possible.
How Does Pulpitis Form?
If your little one has a cavity that isn’t resolved, it can work down through their enamel into the next layer of the tooth, which is called dentin. If the cavity is still left unresolved, it can then move down into the living tissue and cells in your teeth (known as the pulp).
Dental pulp is the center of your child’s tooth in both their baby teeth and permanent teeth. It is the innermost layer of your tooth, and it contains sensitive connective tissue, blood vessels, and cells. Once a cavity reaches this stage, pulpitis forms. Your child’s pulp will be very inflamed and sensitive, and they will be in a great deal of pain. Additionally, their tooth will be at risk of decay.
Signs of Tooth Decay in Babies
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to understand the pain your little one is experiencing. However, these are the most common signs your child may have a cavity or some degree of decay:
- Stained teeth.
- Holes in your baby’s teeth.
- Your child seems to be in pain (toothache).
- Toothache at nighttime.
- Your child waking up during the night due to pain.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods/drinks.
- Swelling and redness around a tooth.
How Can a Root Canal Help?
The goal of baby root canal treatment is to save the badly decayed tooth until natural exfoliation. Although this baby tooth will exfoliate over time, it is important to keep it healthy until natural exfoliation because baby teeth play a vital role in a child’s physical, emotional, and social development.
What is Natural Exfoliation?
The process of shedding primary teeth and replacing them with permanent teeth is called tooth exfoliation. All 20 of your child’s baby teeth will one day be replaced by permanent teeth. At the age of 6 years, children begin losing their primary (baby) teeth, starting with their central incisors followed by the lateral incisors, first molars, lower and upper canines, and finally second molars.
The point of performing a root canal when your child is a baby is to prevent any further pain and discomfort and to keep their smile healthy.
Is the Procedure Dangerous?
At Starship M Kids Dentistry, our team has extensive knowledge and expertise in performing baby root canals. A pulpotomy can also be done if your little one has sustained serious physical trauma to their tooth. Your child’s dentist will first make your little one comfortable by delivering anesthesia.
During the procedure, the tooth that needs treatment will be isolated with a rubber sheet or another isolation system. Then, our doctor will remove all the cavities in the tooth and kill any bacteria in the pulp area with medication. The empty hole in the tooth will then be sealed with putty. Finally, the tooth will be restored to normal function with a crown to prevent further damage.
Baby Root Canals in Anaheim
If your child is in pain, it’s important to bring them to the dentist so we can take a look at their smile and evaluate their teeth. Give us a call today at (714) 970-4560 to schedule an appointment for your child, or contact us online.
CATEGORIES