Nerve Treatment

in Fort Worth, TX

World-Class Pediatric Dental Care with a Gentle Touch

Just as with adult teeth, deep decay or trauma can cause tooth pulp infection or inflammation in baby teeth. Our team at Sunny Side of the Street Pediatric Dentistry may recommend a nerve treatment to save the damaged tooth and restore its health and function.

Little girl shocked about the amazing result of her nerve treatment
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Why Save a Damaged Baby Tooth?

It makes sense to restore severely decayed or damaged permanent teeth, but why restore a baby tooth if it will eventually fall out? Maintaining healthy baby teeth is critical for your child's present and future oral health. Healthy baby teeth play a role in speech development and help your child chew without pain, ensuring adequate nutrition.

If left untreated, tooth pulp damage can cause extreme pain and unnecessary suffering. As the condition progresses, the affected tooth may develop an abscess, causing irreversible harm to the permanent tooth growing behind the scenes.

At Sunny Side of the Street Pediatric Dentistry, we never spare any effort to save damaged baby teeth. These tiny pearly whites help maintain the space needed for the permanent teeth and serve as guides to ensure proper eruption when it's time for them to come in. The premature loss of a baby tooth can result in the neighboring teeth shifting out of alignment, leading to crooked teeth and problems with the bite, not to mention the need for costly orthodontic treatments. Baby teeth act like natural space maintainers and should be restored rather than pulled out whenever possible.

What Are Signs of Tooth Pulp Damage?

Signs of tooth pulp damage include spontaneous pain, constant throbbing, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, tooth discoloration, gum tenderness, a pimple on the gums indicating an abscess, and swelling of the face or jaw. These symptoms do not necessarily mean your child has inflamed or infected tooth pulp. However, they warrant an evaluation. If Dr. Tyfanni determines a nerve treatment is necessary, she will ensure your child feels comfortable and safe during the procedure.

How We Help Your Child Relax During Treatment

While nerve treatment on baby teeth is typically quick and simple, it can be unnerving for children. Dr. Tyfanni will explain the procedure in kid-friendly terms and talk to your child in a reassuring manner. If your little one is highly anxious, very young, or has a hard time sitting still for long, we may recommend dental sedation for safe and comfortable care.

How Can You Prevent the Need for Nerve Treatment?

Prevention is always better than cure, so encourage your child to brush and floss daily and to limit sugary foods and drinks to lower the risk of tooth decay and cavities. Avoid hard foods and candies that can chip or damage a tooth, providing an entryway for harmful bacteria. If your child is involved in contact sports, we recommend wearing a custom sports mouthguard to lower the risk of damage to the teeth.

It's also essential to maintain your child's routine dental exams and cleanings every six months. Dr. Tyfanni and her team at Sunny Side of the Street Pediatric Dentistry will treat any problems as they develop, preventing the need for extensive procedures down the road.

What Are the Types of Nerve Treatments?

Depending on your child's unique needs, we may recommend a pulpotomy, pulpectomy, or indirect pulp cap procedure.

  • Pulpotomy: If decay or damage has reached the pulp but not the root, we may recommend a pulpotomy. The procedure involves removing the affected pulp and filling the space with a special medication to help protect the remaining healthy pulp, soothe the tooth roots, and prevent reinfection. After a pulpotomy, we will place a filling in the area and cover the affected tooth with a dental crown.

  • Pulpectomy: If the damage or decay affects the entire pulp, including the root, we may recommend a pulpectomy procedure. That involves removing the infected pulp and nerve tissues, disinfecting the root canals to remove any residual traces of bacteria, and filling the space with an inert material the body absorbs when the baby tooth falls out. The last step is placing a dental crown to protect the tooth until it falls out naturally.

  • Indirect Pulp Cap: An indirect pulp cap protects a damaged tooth without exposed pulp. It typically requires two treatments spaced six to eight months apart. The procedure involves removing the decayed portions of the tooth, placing a sedative dressing such as calcium hydroxide or MTA to promote remineralization, and placing a temporary filling to seal the space. During an upcoming appointment, we will evaluate the healing, remove any residual decay, and place a permanent filling. The last step is covering and protecting the treated tooth with a dental crown.

Happy cute little girl after her nerve treatment 2

Nerve Treatment Near Me

If your child has a damaged or severely decayed tooth, our team at Sunny Side of the Street Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. Dr. Tyfanni may recommend a nerve treatment to get your child's smile back on track. We invite you to call our office to schedule your child’s appointment or request one online today!

We proudly serve young patients in Fort Worth, TX, and the surrounding communities.