With baby teeth, can you have a root canalThe portion of the pulp cavity inside the root of a tooth; the chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.?
If a baby tooth has a deep cavityDecay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious lesion., it could potentially affect the nerve, causing pain and possibly requiring nerve treatment. This treatment is known as baby root canal and is an entirely safe procedure that it suitable for children.
A root canal may be necessary for baby teeth, as the tooth not only functions for eating and chewing but also for reserving the space for the adult tooth when it comes through. If the tooth is left untreated, the decayThe lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure. and infection could move deeper into the gums and prevent the adult tooth from growing and emerging.
Moreover, dental pain can also have an impact on the child’s happiness, eating patterns and other aspects of their life.
However, if there are alternatives available, we would always recommend considering these first as to avoid your child having to undergo a potentially stressful and uncomfortable dental procedure at a young age.
The best way to avoid baby root canal altogether is to ensure that your child regularly brushes their teeth and attends regular dental check-ups. By adhering to this dental best-practice they may be able to avoid further dental complications later in adult life.
Please note that this article is for patient information purposes only. The information provided is based on guidance available at the time of writing, which may subsequently change. Please consult your own dentist with any individual queries.
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