Root canal therapy is a treatment that’s used to restore infected teeth. In this procedure, Dr. John Delorme will create an opening in your child’s tooth, then remove decayed pulp from the inside. Then, he will fill up the tooth and cover it with a crown or filling to protect it. Root canals help save infected teeth, preserve your child’s smile, and eliminate the pain and discomfort of a damaged tooth.
The most common reason is that they have a deep, untreated cavity. Eventually, cavities can eat through the outer layers of teeth, exposing the delicate pulp to infection. This can also happen due to dental trauma, like a slip and fall that cracks your child’s tooth.
The pulp is filled with the blood vessels and nerves that keep your child’s tooth alive. As it becomes infected, this causes serious pain and discomfort. Infections will eventually kill the tooth, so a root canal is the best option for restoring their tooth and their oral health.
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To begin the process, Dr. Delorme will clean and numb the treatment area, and trim away some of the damaged outer layers of the tooth. Then, he will create a small opening in the tooth.
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Through the opening in your child’s tooth, Dr. Delorme will use special tools to remove infected pulp. He will also sanitize the interior of the tooth to eliminate any remaining bacteria.
As the final step, Dr. Delorme will fill up the tooth with gutta percha, which is a special material that replaces the pulp and strengthens the tooth. Then, he will cover it up with a temporary filling or crown. Your child will typically need to come back for a future appointment to get a permanent crown, which will protect their tooth from further damage.
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The child inhales some nitrous oxide with oxygen, which will relax them and make them a bit giggly. This is why the gas is commonly called ‘laughing gas’. It’s a minor form of sedation appropriate for some more lighthearted treatments.
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We do all of our general anesthesia procedures at a fully accredited surgery center - Mobisurg - and we use pediatric trained medical anesthesiologist for all procedures.
Anterior root canals are root canals that are done on the front teeth. These are usually more difficult than posterior root canals, since the front teeth are thinner, and it’s harder to access the pulp. Dr. Delorme provides anterior root canals, as well as posterior root canals.
Posterior root canals are root canals that are done on the rear teeth. This procedure is simpler compared to an anterior root canal, since the tooth is larger and it’s easier to create an opening in the tooth. No matter where your child’s infected tooth may be, the team at South OC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to help.
Such a nice place, the office is spacious and welcoming, my kid felt relaxed here. Doctors are knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive to details, they made us feel comfortable and cared for.
My kids really look forward to their dental visits with Dr. John and his wonderful team. There isn’t one thing I would change about the people or the environment at this dental office.
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