Pediatric dentists perform root canal treatments for baby teeth when needed. Root canals are often thought of as treatments that are used to save permanent teeth, but they can be used to save baby teeth as well.
While baby teeth are only temporary, they serve an important role in holding space for the permanent teeth. When a baby tooth becomes infected at a young age, the child becomes vulnerable to decay, tooth loss and eventual alignment problems. Baby teeth erupting prematurely can also lead to issues with a child's speech. This can have life-long effects on the child given how important childhood is for developing proper speech patterns and communication skills.
A pediatric dentist might recommend performing a root canal on a child's tooth if it is infected or damaged to the point the pulp chamber is exposed to bacteria and other irritants in the mouth. While parents may be taken aback by a root canal recommendation, it is important to understand that a pediatric dentist is trained to do so.
Pediatric and general root canals have many similarities. The goal of either is always the same; to clean out the contents of a compromised pulp chamber and to save the damaged tooth. Signs a child might need a root canal include:
Toothaches that get worse at night
Tooth decay
Redness and inflammation around the damaged tooth
Persistent toothaches
Increased sensitivity to hot/cold foods and beverages
A tooth becoming loose