Your child needs a root canal on a milk tooth? Learn what pulpectomy is, why saving baby teeth matters and what to expect during treatment.
When parents hear that their child needs a root canal on a baby tooth, the first question is often: "Why not just remove it? It will fall out anyway." Here's why saving milk teeth matters.
What Is a Pulpectomy?
A pulpectomy is a root canal treatment for baby teeth. When decay reaches the nerve (pulp) and it becomes infected, the dentist removes the infected pulp from the crown and roots, cleans the canals and fills them with a special material that dissolves naturally as the baby tooth is replaced. The tooth is then usually covered with a crown.
Signs Your Child May Need It
- Toothache, especially at night
- Pain when eating or drinking
- Swelling or a pimple on the gum
- A deep, dark cavity
- A tooth that has turned grey after an injury
Why Save a Baby Tooth?
- It holds space for the permanent tooth. Early loss can lead to crowding and crooked adult teeth.
- It helps chewing and good nutrition.
- It helps speech development.
- It prevents infection from affecting the adult tooth growing underneath.
- Some back milk teeth stay until age 10 to 12.
Is It Painful for Children?
The treatment is done gently under local anaesthesia, so your child should not feel pain. A calm, patient approach and simple explanations help children stay relaxed.
Can It Be Prevented?
Often, yes. Regular check-ups, fluoride treatment, dental sealants and treating small cavities early can stop decay before it reaches the nerve. Limiting sugary snacks and avoiding bottles at bedtime also make a big difference.
Related treatment: read more about Pulpectomy for Kids in Mohali at Urja Dental Clinic.
Book a Visit at Urja Dental Clinic, Mohali
If you have any of these concerns, book a consultation at Urja Dental Clinic, S.S.S. (Bay Shop) 74, Sector 60, Phase 3B2, Mohali. We are easy to reach from Phase 3B1, Phase 5, Phase 7, Kharar and Chandigarh. Call +91 86999 69619 or +91 78890 93147, or book online.
