AboutGary Backlund, DMD, MSD Expertise I am an Endodontist ( root canal specialist ) and can answer questions about root canals and their treatment. I cannot diagnose or treat online, but can answer general questions. I have been a specialist for 25 years and am Past President of the Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Experience 25 years practicing as a specialist
Organizations American Association of Endodonists, Past President Washington State Association of Endodontists.
Question Dr. Backlund,
My 2 yr old experienced trauma to his two front primary teeth in feb. they both slightly chipped and were somewhat loose. i took him to a pediatric dentist who took xrays but saw nothing other than them being loose. she told me to wait and see what happens. i took him in again last week because he complains when i brush his teeth and he asks for all his drinks to be warmed up. i figured he was experiencing pain. they took another xray and saw that his two teeth now have an abscess at the root. but there is nothing visible in the pulp and she didnt say anything else was wrong. she said the only option was extraction and when i brought up root canal she said its not an option because of the abscess. i dont understand why she cant do a pulpectomy. ive been reading up on it and it seems like it is an option. why cant she just drain the infection and go ahead with a pulpectomy? should i get a second opinion? i hate to go through with the extraction. she gave us antibiotic and said to wait. wait for what????
i feel ignorant with this whole situation. please help. i have the xray if you want to look at it.
thanks
cindy
Answer Hi Cindy,
I'm sorry to hear your son is going through all this. To answer your questions, it is certainly possible to do root canals on baby teeth...it's not easy, but can be done. A pulpectomy is really not an option because all it does is do sort of a cleaning out of the tooth. Really the teeth need to be well cleaned and filled..that's what a root canal does. Often the problem in a child so young is patient cooperation. To do two root canals could take 1-2 hours and that's asking a lot of a 2 year old who has limited ability to understand and could be frightened by the whole thing. That is certainly a HUGE variable depending on the child, but that's just a general concern.
I think for all concerned a 2nd opinion would be reasonable. I would go to another pedodontist as most endodontist really aren't equipped to deal with children that young.
