Is root canal treatment safe for a 2.9-year-old child?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My son is 2.9 years old and has a problem in the upper four teeth (x-ray attached) and doctors are suggesting for RCT (root canal treatment) as they are very much decayed. So I just wanted to confirm the same.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have seen the x-ray. (attachment removed to protect patient identity).
If the child is cooperative and can sit through the procedure then it is fine to have pulpectomy procedure i.e. root canal treated.
If your child does not have any pain or swelling and the tooth does not appear to have some large hole or pink fleshy growth inside which can be seen, then it is fine to let it remain like now and use fluoride toothpaste for kids to prevent further decay.
It is difficult to have a cooperative child at this age so do not put too much stress on the kid if he is very afraid. If you see swelling or if there is pain then go by your pediatric dentists advice and do a root canal.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
We are using kidodent paste for the past two months still teeth are blackish. Your past answer to other patients indicated that RCT at this small age is not going to cause any kind of problem to permanent teeth. So I think I should give a try to RCT for two worst teeth if he cooperates along with regular cleaning or brushing of teeth with fluoride paste.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, Kidodent toothpaste is fine but it will never remove the black stains of teeth. It will only arrest the decay and prevent further caries progression. RCT done for milk tooth will not affect the permanent teeth but make sure you get it done by a Pedodontist only.
Blackish color means that the caries progression has stopped and mostly it will not progress further.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Dentistry
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