Pulpotomy Specialist

What is a pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy is a dental treatment during which a Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry practitioner removes the dental pulp from the crown of your child’s tooth due to infection. During treatment, they first ensure that your child is completely numb so they can relax comfortably. Then, your provider opens the crown of the tooth to remove the infected pulp.

The pulp is the core of each tooth consisting of tissues and nerves. As a result, it’s sensitive. When the infection reaches the tooth’s pulp, it causes your child oral pain. By removing the affected pulp with a pulpotomy, your Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry practitioner puts a stop to your child’s tooth pain.

Once the infected pulp is removed, your Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry practitioner applies medication to the interior of the tooth to make sure your child’s tooth stays healthy. Then, they restore the tooth, either with a crown or a composite filling, depending on the severity of the tooth decay. 

Why would my child need a pulpotomy? 

Pulpotomies are effective when decay makes it into the deeper layers of the tooth. When a cavity is caught early, a filling can stop the decay. But once the decay reaches the pulp, a pulpotomy ensures that the decay is fully removed, saving your child’s tooth. 

Is a pulpotomy different from a root canal?

A pulpotomy is similar to a root canal in that it gives Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry the opportunity to remove the infected pulp and stop your child’s tooth pain. But it’s not as invasive as a root canal. During a root canal, a dentist removes not just the pulp from the crown of the tooth, but they also clean out the tooth’s roots. 

A pulpotomy is much less invasive, meaning your child spends less time in the dentist’s chair and experiences less discomfort during recovery. Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry offers pulpotomies to heal your child’s tooth without the extensive process of a root canal. 

Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry strives to protect your child’s teeth with the most effective, least invasive care possible. For more information about pulpotomies, call the office today.