Pediatric endodontics is an advanced specialty that treats endodontic issues in infants and children. Children require special attention from an endodontist to ensure that their teeth and mouths develop correctly, so it is essential to find an endodontist with experience working with children. 

At Prime Endodontics, we use advanced treatment techniques to protect and restore the health of teeth affected by decay. Because we specialize in treating children and infants, we can often treat patients earlier when treatments are less invasive and less complex. This can help reduce future dental care needs and costs for your child.

What Happens During Endodontic Treatment?

During a root canal appointment, your child will meet with our endodontist and they will be administered a local anesthetic to numb the area where they will receive treatment. Then, our endodontist in Kirkland, WA will drill a small hole into the affected tooth to extract the infected pulp and nerve tissue causing the pain. 

Once the pulp is removed, the area is cleaned and filled before the tooth is restored with a dental crown or filling for protection. The crown is the same size and shape as the patient’s natural teeth, so the restoration will not negatively affect their smile. Even baby teeth can be restored with root canal therapy when necessary.

The Advantages of a Pediatric Endodontics

A pediatric root canal is a procedure used to treat and save a tooth damaged due to decay or trauma. This procedure is similar to a routine adult root canal, with a few differences. When a child has a tooth with a cavity that is too severe for a filling, the tooth may need to be treated with a root canal. 

Parents may be concerned about their child needing a root canal because of fears that the procedure will be painful or the child will not cooperate during the treatment. However, a pediatric root canal is much less uncomfortable than a traditional one performed on an adult. This may be due to the child’s smaller teeth and the differences in their jawbone structure. 

Additionally, the endodontist can use different methods to numb the area and reduce the pain when treating a child. A local anesthetic can be used to numb the area before the procedure begins. However, a general anesthetic may also be used if the process is expected to be more extensive. 

General anesthesia prevents pain and allows the child to sleep through the procedure while they remain completely unaware. This type of sedation is usually only administered to young patients with severely infected or decayed teeth or with a severe gag reflex.

To learn whether your child could benefit from pediatric endodontics, visit Prime Endodontics at 1029 Market St., Suite 10, Kirkland, WA 98033, or call (425) 440-2000.