Nerve Treatment

What Parents Can Expect

1. In-Depth Diagnosis: Dr. Mary Margaret will conduct a thorough examination, including digital X-rays, to determine the extent of decay or damage and the indication for nerve treatment, as well as determine which treatment is best suited for your child.
2. Comfort and Numbing – Before treatment begins, local anesthesia is administered to ensure your child’s comfort throughout the procedure. They will not feel pain, but may feel minor pressure as the crown is being placed. 
3. Removing the Infection – Dr. Mary Margaret carefully removes the affected portion of the nerve inside the tooth, ensuring all infection and inflammation are addressed.
   
4. Protecting the Tooth – After the pulp is removed, the space is filled with a medicament that promotes healing, prevents bacterial growth and provides an adequate seal from future bacterial contamination.
5. Restoring Strength – In most cases, the treated tooth is then covered with a pediatric crown for best long-term strength and protection.

Throughout the process, we explain each step in child-friendly language and check in with your child frequently to ensure they remain comfortable and calm.

Aftercare Tips for Parents

• Numbness – The numbing medication may last a few hours. During this time, prevent your child from biting their cheek, lips, or tongue. 
• Mild Soreness – Some children experience slight tenderness for a day or two as they adjust to the new cap. They may feel pressure, or their bite may feel different for several days. In most cases, this will improve with time and over-the-counter children’s pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) may be used as needed.
  
• Oral Hygiene – Continue twice daily brushing and flossing, pulling the floss through the contact area versus up and out.
  
• Diet – Encourage soft foods for the rest of the day and return to a normal diet as tolerated. Avoid sticky foods for the duration of having the crown, as this can compromise the retention of the cement holding the crown to the tooth.
  
• Follow-Up – Attend all recommended follow-up visits so we can monitor healing and ensure the tooth stays healthy.

Supporting Your Child’s Smile

At Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry, our priority is not only to restore your child’s tooth but also to help them feel confident and safe throughout their treatment. Nerve treatment can relieve pain, prevent the spread of infection, prevent damage to the developing permanent tooth underneath, and preserve your child’s natural tooth, which is essential for proper chewing, speaking, and guiding permanent teeth into place.

FAQs

1. What is nerve treatment for baby teeth?
Nerve treatment removes infection or damaged tissue inside a tooth to relieve pain and save the tooth when decay is deep.

2. Why not just extract the tooth?
Saving a baby tooth helps maintain space, support chewing, and guide proper development of permanent teeth.

3. What types of nerve treatment are used?
Depending on the tooth, treatment may include indirect pulp therapy, a pulpotomy, or a pulpectomy.

4. Is nerve treatment painful?
No. The tooth is numbed to ensure comfort. Children often feel relief afterward.

5. Will the tooth need a crown after treatment?
Yes. Most treated teeth require a crown to protect them and ensure long-term stability.