I was talking to my babysitter and she was telling me that her friends daughter (3 years old) has pits in some of her teeth. She took her to the dentist and the dentist wants to do root canal on her. I thought this was crazy. My 6 yr old had a pit in his tooth and the dentist just but a enamal coating over it since he is going to lose it anyway. Have any of you had to have root canal on your kids teeth.
2007-02-08 01:24:18 · 5 answers · asked by TLF 2 in Health ➔ Dental
Yes, root canals or pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns for children's deciduous teeth are necessary, once the decay reaches the nerve of the tooth. The tooth need to "stay" for awhile holding the space open for the permanent tooth, which may not be developed enough yet to erupt. Loosing the tooth early, not to mention the pain the child is in, could cause serious eruption and crowding problems later. Almost all end up needing orthodontic treatment to correct this problem if the tooth is just removed. It's always best to allow the tooth to shed naturally, at the right age rather than remove it early. Although some are extracted and a space maintainer is used to hold the space open. Her dentist was probably looking at the time frame of use of this appliance and decided the pulpotomy and crown was the better choice due to age of the child. With good dental care most young children's teeth are sealed before the decay can develop in these deep pit's and fissures. So, you've done the appropriate treatment by having sealants placed in your child's molar teeth. It's a good preventive measure to take in deciduous and in the permanent dentition. Parents should monitor their child in their brushing techniques to make sure they do a through job and prevent this from happening. Keep up the excellent work Mom! Hope I've been of some help in answering your question in regard to root canals in children.
2007-02-08 03:00:57 · answer #1 · answered by HeatherS 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At three years old, this child probably has all of her primary teeth.
Her permanent teeth should not begin to erupt until she is about 6 years old. Some of these primary teeth will last until she is around 12 years old.
The reason that the dentist wants to do a "baby root canal" is to try to maintain the guidance of the primary tooth for the permanent tooth. The primary tooth's guidance is vital in ensuring that the permanent tooth erupts in the best position possible.
If you "just wait until the tooth falls out", the primary tooth can actually cause the permanent tooth to begin to decay. The permanent teeth, while not visible, have already began to form.
Just for the record, everyone has pits in their teeth. A pit is defined as the result of two developmental grooves crossing each other, forming a deep area that is too small for the bristle of a toothbrush to clean. Many dentists put sealants on children's teeth to create a barrier between potential decay and the deep pits.
2007-02-08 10:32:39 · answer #2 · answered by Josi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd tell her to get a second opinion. Why can't the dentist just put a filling in? She will lose her baby teeth starting around 5 or 6. Sounds like the dentist just wants to soak this lady for some money and probably the insurance company too.
2007-02-08 09:51:33 · answer #3 · answered by Pink1967 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a root canal on a 3 year old? the tooth is going to fall out eventually. just keep them brushed. and find out why her teeth a so poor. tell her to stop sugary drinks.
2007-02-08 09:53:13 · answer #4 · answered by REALLY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 3 yrs old..... I'd let her lose it naturally.
2007-02-08 09:35:52 · answer #5 · answered by Lifesnadir 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋