Root Canals at Brooks Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
At Brooks Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we are committed to preserving your child’s natural teeth whenever possible. Root canal treatment is an essential procedure to save teeth that are severely infected or damaged. Our experienced team of board-certified pediatric dentists in San Antonio ensures that the root canal process is as comfortable and stress-free as possible for your child.What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat infection or damage within the tooth’s pulp—the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. During a root canal, the infected or damaged pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and the space is filled and sealed to prevent further infection. This treatment can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
- Preserves Natural Teeth A root canal can save a severely damaged or infected tooth, preventing the need for extraction and preserving your child’s natural smile.
- Relieves Pain and Discomfort By removing the infected or damaged pulp, a root canal alleviates the pain and discomfort associated with tooth infection.
- Prevents Further Infection Cleaning and sealing the tooth prevents bacteria from entering and causing further infection, ensuring the long-term health of the tooth.
- Maintains Oral Function Preserving the natural tooth maintains proper chewing and speaking functions, as well as the alignment of surrounding teeth.
Our Root Canal Process
At Brooks Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we follow a meticulous approach to root canal treatment to ensure the best outcomes for your child:- Comprehensive Examination and Diagnosis Our pediatric dentists conduct a thorough examination and use digital x-rays to assess the extent of the infection or damage. Visit our Preventive & General Dentistry page for more details on our diagnostic services.
- Discussion of Treatment Options We explain the root canal procedure in detail, discussing the reasons for the treatment and what to expect. We ensure you and your child understand the process and answer any questions you may have.
- Anesthesia and Sedation To ensure your child’s comfort, we use local anesthesia to numb the affected area. For children who are anxious or require extensive treatment, we offer sedation options. Learn more about our Sedation Dentistry options.
- Performing the Root Canal Our skilled pediatric dentists carefully remove the infected or damaged pulp, clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth, and fill and seal the space with a biocompatible material. For additional details, check our Restorative Dentistry page.
- Post-Treatment Care After the root canal, we provide detailed post-operative care instructions to help your child recover comfortably. This includes guidance on managing pain, swelling, and maintaining oral hygiene. For more resources, visit our Patient Information page.
