My daughter has an abscessed tooth, she has no pain, but I can see the swelling and discharge. Her pediatric dentist (whom I respect) wants to do root canal. It seems extreme. Is this the only option. Do these things never go away on their own? It is a tooth close to the front.
2007-09-10 04:02:55 · 6 answers · asked by Olynoco 2 in Health ➔ Dental
If the tooth is a baby tooth then any infection results in an extraction. "baby" root canals, technically called pulpotomies, are performed when decay has entered the nerve but not yet caused an infection.
If you can see a swelling and discharge then you have a full blown abscess and the tooth needs to be extracted. Trying to save this tooth is futile.
If the tooth is a permanent tooth then a root canal is in order. These are not usually done by a pediatric dentist.
2007-09-10 08:44:44 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Craig 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the last poster somewhat. A root canal on a youngster is generally a pulpotomy because the tooth doesn't have an adult root yet. I am assuming this is on a baby tooth?
I'm not sure about where the last poster and her spouse practise dentistry or what their experience is.....our daughter's tooth didn't need extraction and the pulpotomy DID save her tooth. The pediatric dentist we see also does root canals on older kids. I think it depends who you see, what their credentials are and their experience.
I do agree that these things don't go away and she will have pain eventually if the abscess and rot get to the nerve. This is what we were told by our pediatric dentist, anyway. I have a daughter who had a pulpotomy at 6 and a half BUT under anesthetic, not in a chair. Our little girl has beautiful teeth but very tight and it was hard for us to floss between two back molars. She ended up with a small abscess and the pulpotomy was the way to go. We haven't regretted it.
BTW, if your daughter does go under anesthetic, have gravol for her to take after waking. Kids can get nauseous very easily after anesthetic and some dentists forget to tell parents! We were told by the nurses at the hosp that gravol won't interfere with pain killer either.
Lastly..you had a question about SIMS and it's closed now so I hope you don't mind me throwing a follow up on this post. Scholastic is currently selling the Sims 1 Deluxe, Sims Unleashed and Sims Vacation in their school book orders and recommending it for children in elem school. Hope this extra info helps!
2007-09-12 10:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by GeriGeri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably a baby tooth. The problem is that the rest of the teeth will move and try to fill the gap. This will create problems for the permanent teeth when they try to come in. Ask the dentist if he can put a spacer in the maintain the position instead of the root canal. You could also seek a second opinion. If he and/or the second opinion says it should be done then you probably should go ahead with it. Ask to make sure that it is a baby tooth. If it is not you have no choice but to do the root canal.
2016-03-18 03:22:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its a permanent tooth, you really don't have much of an option. Root canals need to be performed on abscess teeth otherwise the infection will spread. It will not go away on its own. If its on a baby tooth, you can opt to pull the tooth. Depending on how close the permanent tooth is to coming in, you could get by just having the tooth extracted and nothing to keep the other teeth in place, or if the adult tooth is still has some time before it comes in, they can put in a spacer to keep the teeth from shifting. GOOD LUCK!!!
2007-09-10 04:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by Jen D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try to get a second opinion. I think she's a little young to start having root canals.
2007-09-10 04:10:37 · answer #5 · answered by Milkaholic 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
second opinion i suggest. she's too young for a rooth canal treatment. a low dose of antibiotics for the infection may help.
2007-09-10 04:23:21 · answer #6 · answered by Konzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋