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In cases where tooth decay is so large that it has extended to the pulp tissue of the primary (baby) tooth, a procedure known as a pulpotomy (baby root canal) is usually performed. A pulpotomy is different from traditional root canal treatment on adults.
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The purpose of the pulpotomy is to remove the decayed parts of the tooth and also to remove enough of the infected pulp tissue so that the affected tooth does not cause your child pain. A medicated filling is used to replace the removed pulp tissue. This will allow us to maintain your child's tooth until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
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| In a majority of cases, if the decay has progressed to the pulp of the tooth, then a dental crown will usually be needed to restore the baby tooth. Crowns for children are also different from crowns for adults. Baby crowns are usually pre-made in different sizes to fit over the teeth. This is because these crowns are only supposed to last until the permanent tooth comes out which may only be a few years. |
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The combination of a baby root canal and baby crown is to preserve the primary tooth and prevent extraction of this tooth. If a primary tooth is extracted too early, movement of the other teeth will often not leave enough space for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly. This means, costly orthodontics later on when the child is older. Although a baby root canal and crown may seem like a lot of trouble for a tooth that will not be there much longer, it is the best option.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Baby Root Canal
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