When a child develops an infection, this could mean a major increase in discomfort, and the risk of losing a tooth prematurely, increasing the risk of misalignment. To treat the issue and protect the stability of their smiles, they need an endodontic treatment. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about our conservative root canal alternative, the pulpotomy.
The Warning Signs of Infected Teeth
An infection occurs in a tooth when harmful oral bacteria make contact with the inner pulp, the nerve center in each of our teeth. This happens when the outer enamel no longer protects the tooth, which occurs due to injury to the teeth from accidents or even teeth grinding. Poor oral hygiene habits that weaken enamel, such as a diet high in sugar and starch and plaque buildup is also a factor. When this occurs, your child could experience trouble eating, pain when biting down, and a persistent ache in the tooth. Swelling near the tooth is possible, as is a discharge from the tooth too. When your child reports persistent pain in the smile, then let us know right away. We will find out if the tooth is infected.
The Dangers of Dental Infection
Without treatment, the infection will grow and spread in severity until the tooth itself dies, at which point the infection could reach the jaw and surrounding teeth. As a result, this could continue to compromise the stability of your little one’s smile, as teeth are lost prematurely and the risk of dental misalignment increases too. To protect their smiles, endodontic treatment is necessary to safeguard your child’s smile. Our team can provide a root canal alternative with a pulpotomy.
Planning Treatment and Sedation
To begin, we will take detailed digital x-rays of your child’s smile, a process that takes only a few minutes and doesn’t require the use of uncomfortable bitewings. This technology uses 90% less radiation too! Then images allow us to assess the cause and position of the infection, so we can plan treatment with precision. To ensure your little one is comfortable, our team will also offer dental sedation, so they enter a state of calm and relaxation. Often, kids will have little to no memory of the procedure afterward.
The Pulpotomy
Our team will open the tooth and remove the infected portions of the tissues within. We then clean the interior of the tooth and add a medicated filling. In some cases, we will cap the tooth with a metal or lifelike zirconia dental crown.
Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist About Treating Infected Teeth
Our team wants to help your kids avoid premature tooth loss and discomfort. To learn more about our conservative endodontic treatment, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.
Recent Comments