What Is a Pulpotomy?
Most people consider root canal therapy as an adult-specific dental procedure; however, your child’s teeth are just as susceptible to tooth and gum infections as any other dental patient. Fortunately, many pediatric dentists offer a “baby root canal” procedure method specifically designed to treat your child’s primary teeth.
A pulpotomy refers to a partial root canal procedure done on a baby tooth. As with a traditional root canal, a pulpotomy is performed on teeth that are severely cracked or those in which bacteria has penetrated the enamel and infected the dental pulp within the center of the tooth. This may be the result of direct trauma, poor brushing and flossing habits, and untreated cavities or gingivitis. It is important that cracked or infected teeth are treated to prevent the risk of an abscess, as this can cause the pulp tissue to die and lead to pain, swelling, and infection of the jawbones.
After placing a topical anesthetic on your child’s gums, a pediatric dentist will administer localized anesthetic to the site of the affected tooth. A rubber dam is then used to isolate the teeth, reduce saliva moisture, and protect your child’s soft tissues during the procedure. Your children’s dentist will remove any infected dental pulp and seal the tooth with a special medication designed to prevent the growth of new bacteria and restore the rest of the nerve. Posterior baby teeth that undergo a pulpotomy will often be treated with a crown following the procedure in order to provide stability to the remaining tooth structure.
Our pediatric dentists with Ashburn Children's Dentistry are devoted to providing your child with the most comfortable, anxiety-free dental experience possible. For more information on pulpotomy procedures, sedation dentistry, laser dentistry, or orthodontics, contact our office at (571) 223-5768. You can also visit us online for more information on our services.
- Loading comments...
