The Baby Root Canal

Описание: The 'Baby Root Canal': A Guide to Saving Primary Teeth

A pulpectomy, commonly known as a 'baby root canal', is a dental procedure specifically designed for primary teeth with irreversibly inflamed or necrotic pulp resulting from deep cavities or traumatic injuries. The primary goal of this treatment is to remove infection and relieve pain while preserving the tooth so it can continue to hold the necessary space for the future permanent tooth. According to the sources, maintaining these teeth is essential for a child’s overall oral health, space maintenance, and arch integrity.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The treatment follows a structured clinical process to ensure your child’s comfort and the procedure’s success:
1. Preparation: The tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia and isolated using a rubber dental dam to keep the area dry and sterile.
2. Cleaning: The dentist drills a small hole to access the pulp chamber and removes the infected or dead pulp tissue. The root canals are then carefully cleaned and disinfected with liquid irrigants.
3. Filling: Unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth are filled with a resorbable biocompatible material (such as zinc oxide eugenol or iodoform-based pastes). This material is designed to dissolve naturally as the permanent tooth begins to emerge.
4. Restoration: To complete the procedure, the tooth is sealed with a definitive restoration, most commonly a stainless steel crown, which protects the tooth from further decay and microleakage.

Recovery and Success

Pulpectomies are considered a safe and highly effective alternative to extraction. While recovery is generally quick—with children often returning to their normal routines the next day—dentists may recommend soft foods for a short period following the treatment. Severe postoperative pain is rare, and the sources indicate that long-term success rates are high when the tooth is properly restored. In some cases, an alternative technique called Lesion Sterilisation Tissue Repair (LSTR) may be considered, which uses an antibiotic mixture to disinfect the canals without full instrumentation.