When a deep cavity in a baby tooth reaches the nerve (pulp), your pediatric dentist may recommend a pulpotomy. A pulpotomy removes part of the tooth’s pulp to prevent or treat the formation of an abscess. This allows your child to avoid having a tooth extraction. Your child’s baby teeth are important in guiding permanent teeth into position. Losing a baby tooth too early can alter how a permanent tooth can come in after it. The Roanoke pediatric dentists at Parkway Pediatric Dentistry may recommend a pulpotomy for baby teeth instead of removal since it is critical to restoring baby teeth for future development. A pulpotomy is different than a root canal as it is a quick, pain-free procedure while restoring the tooth.
Trauma – Pulpotomy or Root Canal
Trauma, such as a blow to the face, or other things such as bacteria or deep cavities can damage the pulp in a child’s tooth, leading to inflammation and infection. If this doesn’t get treated properly, the infection can travel through the canals of the tooth and to the tooth’s root. It can even spread to the jawbone and lead to an abscess, which is painful and can cause more damage.
Pain can be an indicator of many issues, so as a parent it can be difficult to know when to bring your child in to be examined. However, if your child complains of throbbing and constant pain in the tooth, sensitivity to hot or cold sensations, pain when eating or placing pressure, of it you notice a bump at the gums, it can be an indication that he or she may need to visit a dental professional.
Advanced Diagnostics
Using advanced diagnostics, we can get to the source of your child’s pain and determine the best course of treatment. We perform a pulpotomy on baby teeth to maintain the integrity of your child’s tooth and to ensure the gum tissue and bones that support the tooth are healthy and safe, as well. A pulpotomy can prevent infection, and ensure the developing permanent teeth remain healthy. Unless we believe your child’s baby tooth is going to fall out on its own in the very near future, we will most likely recommend a pulpotomy rather than removing the tooth if clinically appropriate.
Working to save the baby tooth whenever possible is always our plan of action. If your child is complaining of a toothache, but we don’t see any damage to the outer surface of the tooth, an X-ray can tell us if there may be damage to the soft pulp inside the tooth. The pulp is full of blood vessels and nerves, and if damaged, it can cause sensitivity and pain. An X-ray can tell us if the pulp is infected or dying, and if so, we need to take action before an abscess can set in.
There are different courses of action that can be taken, depending on the severity of the issue.
- Indirect pulp treatment can be used if the damage to the pulp is minimal. We work to remove the decay, but leave the pulp in place. Medicine is applied near the nerve, the tooth is sealed and restored.
- A pulpotomy, sometimes called a partial root canal, can be performed when the decay is only in the upper portion of the pulp. We’ll remove the damaged pulp and then work to stabilize the healthy portion, before disinfecting and sealing the tooth.
- A pulpectomy is what most people are familiar with when they think of a root canal. This is performed when the pulp tissue is infected throughout the entire tooth. All of the pulp tissue will be removed, then we will disinfect and shape the canals, before filling and sealing them. The crown of the tooth is then restored.
Root canals immediately evoke a negative reaction, but using modern techniques paired with the latest technology, your child will be relaxed and well taken care of. For most children, the procedure will be very similar to getting a cavity filled. Sedation dentistry can be used in small children or children who experience anxiety.
During the pulpotomy procedure, we will numb the gums and tooth. We use tiny instruments to remove the damaged pulp and nerve tissue, disinfect and sterilize the area. The area is sealed and we will typically recommend a crown to restore your child’s tooth to its normal size and shape, ensuring it can function properly until the day it is ready to exfoliate.
We will work hard to preserve as much of your child’s natural tooth structure as possible and will take the time to discuss your child’s treatment options in full. We want all of our parents to feel well-informed, so we will walk you through the procedure, making sure we discuss the pros and cons of every option available.
FAQ’s
What is the treatment needed for a pulpotomy?
There are two types of treatment options available if your child needs treatment involving the nerve of the tooth – a pulpotomy or a pulpectomy. The correct course of treatment will be determined after an examination to determine the extent of the pulp damage. Anesthesia will be used to prevent any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
Are pulpotomies necessary?
It is always best to attempt to save the tooth in order to prevent issues with your child’s speech or eating habits and to ensure permanent teeth can erupt in the correct environment. However, the only way to know for sure if your child should have a pulpotomy is to schedule an appointment with a dentist.
What is a pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy is one of the nerve treatment procedures we may use to help relieve your child’s tooth pain. In this instance, the damaged pulp is confined to the crown of the tooth, allowing us to remove the infected pulp while still keeping the root of the tooth intact. Once the infected pulp is removed, the tooth is disinfected and sealed.
What is the difference between a root canal and a pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy is sometimes referred to as a partial root canal because during this procedure only the infected pulp is removed, leaving the root of the tooth intact. A pulpectomy, or root canal, is needed if the pulp tissue is infected throughout the entire tooth, not just at the crown. The pulp tissue is removed, the canals are disinfected and reshaped, and the tooth is restored. This is typically completed on adult teeth that have had trauma or large areas of decay.
How long does a pulpotomy take?
We know that it can be difficult for young children to sit still for long periods of time, so we will work hard to make your child’s pulpotomy as quick as possible. For many patients, a pulpotomy can take between 15-30 minutes, but it can be longer depending on the severity of the issue we are correcting.
