Why does my child's tooth bleed after a root canal?

Question

Hello doctor,

My daughter underwent a root canal. She is four years old. The dentist tried to do it with gas and numbing it. She sat well through the drilling, then, when he was doing the pulpectomy, she screamed and choked and flailed around. The dentist seemed unable to handle it all, and he said she had a hyperemic pulp. He said he could not stop the bleeding. He was worried for my daughter because of the crying and choking. So, he put a temporary filling over it and stopped.

He said he was concerned it may bleed and cause pressure inside the molar. Pain and or abscess or infection. It sounds very scary that her tooth could be bleeding from the inside. I am just wondering if I need a second opinion, if she needs to see her pediatrician, or what. I am nervous. I will follow up with him in one week just to check it out.

Is this something I should be concerned with, or is it common?
Is this a common thing, or do I need a new pediatric dentist?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is normal for the pulp to bleed profusely when it is a little enlarged inside, like a polyp. The dentist could have easily managed her, had he given a local anesthesia (just a drop would have numbed it) directly inside the pulp when doing the root canal treatment. He could have then removed the pulp polyp and done the remainder. As soon as the pulp polyp is scraped away, the bleeding will stop instantly.

Do not worry. In the next appointment, he may do it.

Anyway, the bleeding is nothing to worry about, as it will not cause any severe pain now due to pressure. But, next time, when he opens it, ask him to put local anesthesia drop inside or inject it directly inside (all this after giving inhalation gas), and then do the procedure.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.