The removal of the pulp in the crown of the tooth is a dental procedure known as pulpotomy. The process does not remove the pulp in the root canal. It is primary performed on children’s permanent teeth for treating tooth decay extending to the pulp.
What Is the Purpose of a Pulpotomy?
If your child reports pain or sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures on their teeth, it indicates that the child is affected by pulpitis, which is inflammation of the pulp resulting from untreated cavities. The sensitivity is the first indicator that your child is affected by dental caries.
The pediatric dentist will recommend that your child undergo pulp therapy after performing a dental exam and identifying that tooth decay has indeed affected the pulp in the crown. A pulpotomy is also recommended if the tooth decay is close to the pulp in the crown when removing it is likely to expose the pulp in the root canal. The dentist performs the examination either by taking x-rays or physically examining the child.
If the pediatric dentist discovers your child has irreversible pulpitis due to tooth decay and the pulp in the tooth is severely damaged, they may not recommend a pulpotomy. On the contrary, they may recommend a pulpectomy or tooth extraction.
A pulpotomy can also be performed if your child has sustained severe physical trauma to the tooth, although the procedure is not standard. A pulpectomy is usually performed to ensure the tooth and the pulp in the root of the tooth are preserved.
Is Pulpotomy an Essential Procedure?
You could be surprised when your child is recommended a pulpectomy and think why the child’s tooth is not just extracted because it is a baby tooth that will soon be replaced with permanent teeth. There are valid reasons for your child to undergo a pulpectomy rather than a tooth extraction unless it is inevitable.
Primary teeth in your child’s mouth help to ensure permanent space is arranged correctly to have sufficient room to grow when the permanent teeth emerge. Pulpotomy merely refers to cutting the pulp. However, within the medical fraternity, a pulpotomy relates to the entire procedure, including closing the space from where the pulp removal happened with unique medications.
Differences exist between a pulpotomy and a pulpectomy and must not be confused with each other. A pulpectomy is performed when tooth decay has extended beyond the pulp in the crown of the child’s tooth growing to the root. It is not similar to a root canal where all the pulp extending to the core is removed to preserve the tooth.
Are There Any Risks Associated with a Pulpotomy?
No risks are associated with a pulpotomy, which is a safe process. So long as the pulp in the tooth is not infected and is still healthy, a pulpotomy is performed.
The Pulpotomy Procedure
During the pulpotomy procedure, you will be required to stay with the child. During the process, your child’s tooth is numbed with a topical anesthetic before local anesthesia is injected. Your child may also receive oral sedation.
Lincoln children’s dentistry will identify the affected tooth and remove any tooth decay on or around the teeth to prevent contamination of the pulp. Access to the pulp chamber is gained by drilling through the enamel and dentin. Bleeding occurs during the drilling indicating the pulp within a still healthy. The dentist will not proceed with the pulpotomy if the pulp chamber is empty and dry.
The coronal pulp is excavated by the dentist in Lincoln, NE, after which they will use wet cotton swabs to stop the bleeding and clean the area. The bleeding requires a minute or two to stop. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, it indicates that the root is not healthy and is affected by tooth decay. In such cases, the dentist recommends a pulpectomy or tooth extraction. However, if the bleeding stops, the radicular pulp is treated and covered with particular medicines.
After performing a pulpotomy, your child will experience some discomfort or pain. Your dentist will prescribe prescription pain medication to deal with the problem.
Post-Operative Care
The dentist provides instructions on the varieties of foods your child can eat in the days following the procedure. Instructions to avoid sticky and chewy foods are recommended until a stainless steel crown placement is provided to restore the tooth, or the tooth falls out by itself.
Have you heard of what a pulpotomy is? If you haven’t, please read this article to understand why a pulpotomy is performed on children’s teeth.
