Dentists advocate caution in root canal treatment among children

The death of a young child following a root canal treatment in Kerala recently has prompted parents to question whether toddlers need invasive intervention, should it be done under local or general anaesthesia and additionally is there a protocol to be followed when dealing with very young patients? While dentists advocate extreme caution and history taking before proceeding with the treatment, a senior health official said India currently doesn’t maintain any centralised record of root canal-related deaths among children though similar incidents have been reported in the country previously also. Root canal treatment for milk teeth becomes necessary when infection or severe decay jeopardises the tooth’s health. “By meticulously following precautions, paediatric dentists can perform root canals effectively and safeguard children’s oral health till the age of 14, ensuring proper development of permanent teeth,“ he explained.