Baby Tooth Root Canal Treatment (Pediatric Pulp Therapy) in Washington, DC
At the center of every baby tooth, beneath the enamel and dentin layers, is a soft, gelatinous tissue called dental pulp. This pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
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Deep cavities or dental trauma can damage the dental pulp, leading to tooth pain, temperature sensitivity, swelling, redness, and sometimes the need for extraction. If left untreated, the infection can spread beyond the tooth and affect your child’s overall health.
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Fortunately, at Beverly Pediatric Dentistry, we offer pediatric pulp therapy (also known as a baby root canal or nerve treatment) to treat and preserve your child’s tooth.
What Is a Baby Tooth Root Canal?
If your child has a tooth with damaged dental pulp, Dr. Maryam Mohammadi may recommend pediatric pulp therapy to restore the health of the tooth and its supporting tissues.
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This treatment can be performed on both primary (baby) teeth and young permanent teeth with immature roots, helping maintain proper oral development.
How Is a Baby Tooth Root Canal Done?
There are two main approaches for baby tooth root canal treatment: ​
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Pulpotomy (sometimes referred to as "Vital Pulp Therapy")
This is a treatment option when the pulp is inflamed but still capable of healing. In a pulpotomy, the pulp is removed only from the crown (the visible part of the tooth above the gum line).
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Pulpectomy
This is performed when the pulp is incapable of healing or is already dead. In a pulpectomy, the pulp is removed from both the tooth's crown and the roots (the part of the tooth that lies below the gum line).
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In both procedures, the tooth is carefully cleaned, disinfected, and filled to restore function and prevent further infection.
Are Root Canals Necessary for Baby Teeth?
Yes, If your child’s baby tooth has a damaged dental pulp, prompt treatment is important. Make an immediate appointment with our pediatric dentist at Beverly Pediatric Dentistry in Washington DC. After a thorough examination, Dr. Mohammadi will determine whetherpulp therapy or tooth extraction is the best option for your child.​
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Delaying treatment of a baby tooth with the damaged pulp can lead to:
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Increased pain and sensitivity
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Spread of infection
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Impairment of your child’s overall health.
Why Not Just Remove the Baby Tooth?
You may wonder since a baby tooth is going to fall out anyway, why would I pay for a root canal treatment on my child’s baby teeth instead of simply pulling the tooth? The answer is although baby teeth eventually fall out, they serve very important functions:
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Help your child chew properly and speak clearly
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Maintain space and guide proper eruption of permanent teeth
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For this reason, saving the tooth with pulp therapy is often the best option whenever possible.​
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Preventing Baby Tooth Pulp Damage
Damage to dental pulp is most commonly caused by tooth decay or dental trauma.​
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You can help protect your child’s teeth from sports-related dental trauma by having your child wear a custom-fitted athletic mouthguard when participating in sports (even non-contact sports, like gymnastics).
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To help prevent decay, encourage your child to brush and floss daily and bring your child to Beverly Pediatric Dentistry in Washington DC for routine dental exam and cleanings on a regular basis.
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Have a discussion with our pediatric dentist, Dr. Mohammadi about whether dental sealants should be used for additional protection for your child’s teeth against decay.
Emergency Baby Root Canal Treatment in Washington, DC
If your child is experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling, or redness, contact Beverly Pediatric Dentistry right away to schedule an appointment for your child. You can also call our office at (202) 331-3474. Early treatment can prevent complications and relieve discomfort quickly.
Dr. Mohammadi will evaluate your child’s condition and determine whether a baby root canal is the best course of treatment.
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Dr. Maryam Mohammadi is a pediatric dentist in Washington, DC with over 30 years of experience, proudly serving families in Dupont Circle, Georgetown, West End, Kalorama, and surrounding areas.