As you watch your child grow, it’s amazing to see how their unique personality and individual identity come together. At some point, they no longer feel like babies or toddlers; they seem more like tiny people in training. Sure, let them enjoy their childhood, but it’s important to take this view of them because unfortunately grown-up problems can still affect them.
For example, your child may require root canal treatment at a young age—even before they receive their first permanent teeth! In this instance, they may need pulpectomy or pulpotomy to hold onto their baby teeth. But what exactly are these procedures, why would a baby tooth need this treatment, and why are they worth protecting? Get the answers here!
What Is Pulpectomy or Pulpotomy?
These clinical terms obviously refer to slightly different things, but they are basically the official names for root canal treatment for baby teeth. Like a normal root canal on a permanent tooth, these procedures essentially entail removing the decayed or damaged structure of the tooth, taking the pulp or nerve center out of the tooth, and sealing and restoring the tooth to preserve the remaining structure.
Why Would Baby Teeth Need a Root Canal?
Similar to their permanent counterparts, baby teeth can become infected with cavities or damaged in a dental injury, which can produce a significant amount of pain as well. Especially with kids’ propensity for accidents early in life and their nearly constant desire for sweet treats, their first set of teeth are particularly susceptible to problems considering how much thinner the enamel layer is in baby teeth!
Root canal treatment in the form of pulpectomy or pulpotomy salvages this affected tooth and allows your child to continue to use it for as long as possible.
Why Are Baby Teeth Worth Preserving If They Are Going to Fall Out Anyway?
At first, it may seem unnecessary to go through the trouble and expense to keep a baby tooth when within a few years your child will no longer have it. Although baby teeth are supposed to come out eventually to make way for permanent, adult teeth, it’s important to get the timing right. If primary teeth are lost too early, the still developing permanent dentition may not line up as neatly as they would with the guidance of the baby ones still present. As a result, your child’s teeth could require more intensive orthodontic work later.
Also, your child will likely find it more challenging to eat healthy foods if they don’t have either their baby or permanent teeth for a significant amount of time. Although they can usually get by temporarily with a few teeth in seemingly random places, prolonged periods of time like this can weaken their bite, hurt their jaw as they chew with odd posture or form, or restrict what they are able to eat.
If your child’s baby tooth has suffered damage but isn’t ready to come out yet, your pediatric dentist can perform a pulpectomy or pulpotomy to rescue the tooth from premature extraction, giving their smile the best chances of success and health in the long term.
About the Practice
At The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry in Garland, TX, Dr. Adam Preece and Dr. Nelson Hui are board-certified pediatric dentists who have found their deepest professional passion in caring for children. They believe that dental health habits need to start young to help kids learn how to maintain a healthy, strong smile for life. Although we are trained in performing pulpectomies and pulpotomies, we much prefer to avoid issues altogether through consistent preventive care. To schedule an appointment with us, go online here or call our office at 972-364-7472.