Endodontics for Children – Worcester, MA

Usually, there are symptoms that come with badly decayed and infected teeth, like:

• Persistent sensitivity
• Pain when biting down
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Dark discoloration on the tooth in question

Of course, there are some cases when there aren’t any warning signs too. That’s why it’s so important to schedule a dental checkup every six months! These routine visits ensure that we catch decay, infections, and other common oral health problems as early as possible.

Once the infection has reached the root of the tooth, the entire pulp is compromised. It will need to be removed completely for the sake of your child’s health. The tooth itself will be numbed for the procedure, ensuring that your little one won’t experience any pain during the treatment process. Then, the inside of the tooth will be cleaned and disinfected before we fill it with biocompatible dental cement and place a crown for its protection.

Sometimes the decay or trauma of the pulp has not spread very far and is still limited to the crown of the tooth. In these cases, a pulpotomy can be performed to protect the tooth. Only the infected part of the pulp in the crown is taken out; the portion living in the roots of the tooth is left intact so it can continue providing nourishment. Any empty space will still be filled with dental cement, however.

There are several benefits that come with root canals, including the fact that they are virtually painless, have an extremely high success rate, and can effectively eliminate the infection, saving your child’s tooth in the process.

It’s also worth noting that, after any kind of endodontic treatment, your child’s tooth will most likely be in a weakened state. Fortunately, we can give your child a dental crown so they can continue using the treated tooth to chew all of their favorite foods without having to worry about damaging them further.

If you are interested in learning more about endodontics for children, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’d be happy to answer any questions you have, especially about something as important as your little one’s oral health.