Does your kid suffer from tooth decay and intense tooth pain? Have you been told your kid may have to undergo a root canal procedure? Are you worried if it is a safe procedure for kids? Tooth decay is common among kids due to poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating habits. Deep caries with pulpal involvement cannot be restored with regular fillings, and thus require a more comprehensive approach through root canal treatment.
Root canal for kids offered by a Plymouth dentist, and their team
is a common procedure that can be performed in primary and permanent teeth. Read on to know if a root canal for kids is safe.
What is a root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the infected pulp tissues, and replacing them with a biocompatible material. This helps restore the oral form, function, and appearance by preserving the natural tooth structure. Root canals when performed in kids are the same as adult ones, however, the approach may vary. The RC-treated teeth in kids, especially the primary ones, are usually filled with a resorbable material that does not hinder the normal exfoliation of the primary roots.
Root canals for kids are of two types, namely
- Pulpotomy
- Pulpectomy
Is Root Canal Safe For Kids?
As a parent, getting a root canal for your kid can be daunting. This may spark anxiety since you do not want your kid to endure pain. The term ‘root canal’ can instill a feeling of fear in you and your kids. However, as technology has evolved tremendously, root canals are now performed in a much more convenient manner, especially for kids. Several research studies were conducted based on clinical and radiographic evaluations to determine the success rates of root canals for kids. Most of the evaluated teeth had successful treatments, around 79.9%.
- With the evolution of advanced technology, pediatric dentists have replaced regular hand files with rotary files for complex root anatomies in primary teeth. This also helps to reduce the mouth opening required in kids and procedure time.
- Furthermore, dentists opt for multiple-visit root canals for kids since they are much safer, and more effective, with minimal complications than single-visit procedures.
Root canals are considered safe for kids when they are mentally and emotionally prepared for it, and when performed by an experienced and skilled pediatric dentist. Failure to restore the tooth can lead to adverse consequences like extreme pain, infection, and an increased risk of losing the tooth. Thus root canals can help rehabilitate and rejuvenate the child’s oral, and overall health. Root canals in kids are safe these days. So, in case your kid has to undergo a root canal, don’t panic, and put your child at ease too.
