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Root Canal Treatment in Milton: Why Your Child May Need a Root Canal

Posted by Dr. Julie Boudreault On 29-12-2022

Root canal treatments for children are often the best way to save a tooth that has been damaged by decay. Rather than extracting an otherwise healthy tooth, our root canal treatment in Milton ensures the long-term health of your child’s teeth.

Although it may seem excessive to perform restorative care on children’s teeth, there are some cases where these procedures are necessary. 

Thus, if your child requires a root canal, it’s important to be as informed as possible prior to the procedure. Review the following guide for additional information about why your child may need a root canal and what to expect during the procedure.

What is a root canal?

A root canal treatment is a surgical procedure in which the dentist removes the diseased pulp from inside a tooth, while still preserving as much of the exterior as possible. This procedure is often preferred over more serious treatments (such as extraction) in order to save an infected tooth. 

Performed by the dentist, root canal treatment is an important part of maintaining healthy oral care. The pulp is tissue present in all teeth containing nerves and blood vessels, which fill out the roots of the tooth.

The roots of the teeth fix it firmly with the gums and jawbone. Therefore, extracting a tooth when it could have been saved runs the risk of damaging the structure of the gums and jaw, especially in children.

Is root canal treatment safe for children?

While you may think it is okay for a child to lose a tooth prematurely instead of having a dentist perform a root canal, this isn’t always the case. There is a strong misconception that children’s teeth do not require restorative care because they will grow back in place later on. This thinking, however, can be quite detrimental to conducting proper oral health protection. 

In some cases, when a child’s tooth falls out prematurely due to complications like pus, cavity, infection, or heavy damage, it may lead to developmental issues down the line. 

Some problems that can occur after early extraction are:

• Slurred speech
• Difficulty chewing food properly
• Wrong alignment of permanent teeth in the future
• Crooked or overlapping adjacent teeth

It’s best to consult with your dentist ahead of time in order to determine which procedure is ideal. Whenever possible, the aim should be to avoid any serious dental issues that could impair the child’s growth and affect their self-confidence.

That said, there are some cases when it’s more pertinent to save the infected tooth with a root canal treatment rather than perform an extraction. The root canal treatment will allow the tooth to fall out naturally at a later stage when the time is right. 

At Milltown Dental, maintaining your child’s natural teeth is always our goal. That is why we offer root canal treatment in Milton in order to help them save their teeth and achieve optimum oral health.

How is a root canal diagnosed?

It can be concerning to undergo any kind of dental procedure. This is even more true when it comes to children. Knowing when the appropriate time to have a dentist perform root canal treatment on your child is an essential step in maintaining their oral health. 

Some ways to recognize the right diagnosis include the following:

• When the child who is suffering from an infected tooth faces a lot of pain, tooth sensitivity, and even inflammation around the tooth.
• The dentist performs a thorough evaluation of the child’s mouth, looking for any visible signs of infection.
• A dental x-ray of the child’s teeth gives clarity on the intensity of the infection and whether or not root canal treatment will be necessary to save the tooth.
• The dentist confirms that root canal treatment is the best course of action, and provides you with a set of instructions that need to be followed leading up to the procedure.

Prior to visiting the dentist, there are also a few signs you can watch for that will indicate whether or not your child may require root canal treatment. The signs that your child needs a root canal include:

• They are experiencing pain that ranges from sharp and intense to a dull ache.
• They have sensitivity to hot or cold food.
• Their tooth shows signs of an infection, including gum tenderness and swelling.
• An abscess forms or you notice a pimple-like bump on your child’s gums.
• They exhibit fever, general malaise, and tender lymph nodes.

If you notice any of these symptoms or if you suspect something is not right with your child’s teeth, contact Milltown Dental to make an appointment. Our trusted dental team is experienced in pediatric dentistry and understands the different methods required to determine what degree of treatment is necessary.

As part of restorative care services, we provide both tooth extractions and root canal treatment in Milton in order to conduct the best procedures for every patient.

What to Expect During a Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is designed to help save a tooth that is infected or damaged. Prior to the procedure, our team at Milltown Dental will provide steps to help you prepare your child. We will also be sure to explain to both you and your child how the root canal treatment will work and why it is required. 

Your child may feel a bit scared about the procedure; this is very common. However, we will do everything possible to make them feel safe and comfortable. 

Depending on your child’s age, we may take some x-rays to determine the severity of the problem and the best way to approach it. These images will help show how severe the problem is and provide our dentist with additional information about the shape and size of the infection. 

Once your child is ready for the root canal treatment, a general anesthetic will be provided along with some antibiotics. The dentist will then prepare the tooth first by removing any existing fillings before placing a rubber sheet around it. This will help protect against bacteria found within the saliva, preventing the tooth from being infected during the treatment.

The dentist will then drill inside the tooth, removing any infected pulp and tissue, and replace it with a special filling before resealing everything.

How to Book an Appointment

Our root canal treatment in Milton is done with expertise and precision by our team of dental professionals. We recommend dealing with tooth infections as soon as possible considering that if left untreated, they can continue to spread to other teeth, causing further oral health problems. 

If you believe that your child needs a root canal treatment in Milton or you want to book a consultation, you can call Milltown Dental at 833-318-3281 or email us at info@milltowndental.com to make an appointment.

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