Baby Root

1. Why does my child need a baby root canal?
A baby root canal is necessary when the cavity has reached the center part of the tooth. The cavity which is made of bacteria and other particles of matter cause an infection in the center of the tooth. This infection could be compared to a cut on the skin that then gets infected and swelling results.

The best way to treat the infection is to remove as much of the bacteria as possible and the food that bacteria “eat”. The food that the bacteria feed on is the blood and nerve supply in the center of the tooth officially known as the tooth pulp.
2. Are there different types of baby root canal treatments?
Yes, there are two different types of “baby root canals” and both types are very different then a regular root canal done on a permanent tooth. One type is called a pulpotomy consisting of removing the blood and nerve supply in the center of the tooth only. The second is called a pulpectomy and consist of removing the blood and nerve supply of the tooth down in the roots of the tooth. A pulpectomy usually takes longer to perform then a pulpotomy.
3. What materials are used to replace the natural tooth material inside the tooth and roots?
When a baby root canal is performed, a filling material is mixed to a consistency of a thick cream and used to replace the blood and nerve that were removed from the tooth. This filling material helps to keep the tooth from getting an infection again by keeping bacteria out and depriving them of a food supply in the center of the tooth and/or roots.
4. Does a baby root canal hurt?
The tooth is made to go to sleep and unless the tooth was hurting before the procedure is started or has an abscess present, the patient will be very comfortable during the procedure. Usually the tooth does not have any discomfort after the procedure is completed. If there is some discomfort Children’s Tylenol or Advil may be given to help. Rarely does stronger medication need to be given.
5. How long does a baby root canal last?
Fortunately, a baby root canal can be performed and save a tooth that would otherwise have to be removed. Just like a regular root canal on a permanent tooth a baby root canal is not 100% successful. The success rate of the procedure is approximately 90% or 9 out of 10 being considered successful. The reason why baby root canals fail sometimes is because not all of the bacteria can be removed and not all of the blood and nerve supply can be removed due to the fact they are all microscopic. Another reason a baby root canal sometimes doesn’t work is because in the process of doing the treatment, inflammation and swelling is produced, this can cause the roots of the tooth to resorb away and in the worst case, disappear completely. Consequently, the tooth gets loose and simply falls out.

If the tooth that is having a baby root canal performed on it has a current abscess or an infection that has spread outside of the tooth, the success rate can be lowered because the tooth is in such a poor state of health.