Root canal treatments can help save your natural tooth, allowing you to keep it in your mouth for decades or, in some cases, the rest of your life. That being said, since the oral health conditions of every individual are unique, the results of a root canal will vary from one person to another. A children’s root canal, also known as a pulpotomy, can provide much-needed care to a child whose baby tooth has decayed so much that it has begun to irritate the tissue. When deciding if a children’s root canal is right for your child, it is good to understand what the procedure can do.
Root canal treatments are designed to help save the tooth when the pulp chamber gets infected. If the pulp dies, the infection can start to affect the underlying bones. For this reason, the infected area needs to be cleared out. The purpose of this is to protect the tooth or bones from developing future infections.
How long will the teeth last after a root canal? The answer to that question will vary depending on factors such as the age of the patient and the extent of the tooth decay. Researchers have seen that the earlier you treat your tooth, the better. A children’s root canal can protect their teeth for years into the future. This is true if the root canal is performed on a baby tooth to protect the adult teeth or if it is performed on an adult tooth. If the infection starts to affect the bone, it is likely that the tooth will be lost sooner than if the root canal was addressed immediately.
Not all teeth are designed the same way. For example, the teeth in the front of the mouth are designed for cutting. They only have one root. This makes them a lot easier to treat. They are also put under a lot less force on a daily basis, which means that they are often able to last longer. Conversely, the teeth in the back of the mouth have multiple roots, and since they are used for chewing, they are under a considerable amount of force. This may make them more susceptible to cracking or falling out.
Another factor to consider is that the older you get, the more brittle your teeth become. If you have a root canal older in life, your tooth may not last as long as it would have if you had the root canal in your youth. This is partly why a children’s root canal treatment is often so successful.
In most cases, it is preferable to perform a root canal than to simply pull out a damaged tooth, especially for children. A pulpotomy can save a child’s baby tooth, which helps ensure the proper growth and spacing of their incoming adult teeth.
A pulpotomy can prevent your child from facing unnecessary dental problems in the future. At Ashburn Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Dean-Duru always puts your child’s comfort first. If your child has begun to experience tooth decay that has spread to the nerve and pulp chamber, contact our office in Ashburn today to schedule your consultation and learn how a children’s root canal can help.
