Do kids need RCT? – 5 year old root canal treatment
What is 5 year old root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a common procedure for treating adult teeth. But do you know RCT can be performed in kids too? Kids have milk teeth that exfoliate at a certain time. If extracted before their natural time of exfoliation, it can lead to various problems. The space created by the early loss of milk teeth can get occupied by the adjacent teeth, leading to the crowding of permanent teeth.
Root canal treatment is a procedure that can save the milk teeth and prevent their exfoliation. Various types of RCTs are performed on kids depending on the initial condition of their teeth.
Our pediatric dentists proficiently handle complex cases at Advanced Dental Clinic Delhi. RCT is indicated after a comprehensive clinical examination and radiological analysis of the case.
Is 5 year old root canal necessary?
Yes, RCT in milk teeth is necessary. The major functions of the milk teeth are:
- Guiding the permanent teeth
- Maintaining the space for future adult teeth and also preventing their misalignment
- Maintaining the ability to chew
- The child learns to speak and eat with milk teeth; preserving them is important.
The problems associated with the early loss of milk teeth are:
- Unerupted adult teeth
- Migration of adult teeth into a different position
- Slight slurring of speech
- Misaligned teeth in future
Different types of approaches for 5 year old root canal
Pulp therapy
Pulp therapy is indicated in cases of minor pulpal damage. It is aimed to control the infection at an early stage and prevent further progression. It can be direct or indirect pulp therapy, depending on the condition.
Pulpotomy
It is a type of RCT for kids in which only the infected portion is removed. The healthy portion, which is generally the root portion, is left inside the tooth. The healthy pulp promotes the growth of the root portion.
Pulpectomy
This type of kid RCT is similar to that of adults. The sealing material used here is resorbable and dissolves with the root of the milk teeth.
How long does kids’ RCT take?
The time taken depends upon the nature and severity of the case. The RCT can be completed in a single sitting or may take up to 2-3 sittings, depending on the case complexity.
Is 5 year old root canal painful?
The major concern for any parent is the pain associated with the treatment. The whole process is done under the effect of local anaesthesia and is entirely painless. So you do not have to worry about the comfort of your child.
Conclusion
5 year old root canal or kids RCT is a common procedure in our practice at Advanced Dental Clinic Delhi. It is a necessary procedure performed painlessly under local anaesthesia to save the milk teeth. Preserving the milk teeth is important for guiding the permanent teeth. If your kid has decayed teeth, it is best to get them examined by our experts at Advanced Dental Clinic Delhi for a customised plan.