A pulpotomy is an effective treatment to preserve your child’s primary tooth when it’s seriously decayed and would otherwise need extraction. When your little one needs an advanced procedure of this type, it’s important to feel confident about their treatment.
At Kids Dental Center, in Greenbelt, Maryland, our experienced pediatric dentist, Dr. Bosede Adeniji, focuses on making parents and children comfortable with their dental care. If your child needs a pulpotomy, Dr. Adeniji explains why, discusses the benefits, and creates a plan to make the procedure easy for your child.
Since our Kids Dental Center patients and their parents often have questions about a pulpotomy, we want to help you learn the essential information about this pediatric dental treatment.
A pulpotomy is similar in some ways to a root canal in adults, but pulpotomies are usually for children. This procedure treats tooth decay or infection that moves through the tooth enamel, reaching the soft inner pulp of a child’s tooth.
Unlike a full root canal, which removes all of the tooth’s pulp, a pulpotomy only removes the infected or damaged part. Dr. Adeniji typically performs pulpotomies on primary (baby) teeth, allowing your child’s tooth to be saved until it’s ready to fall out naturally.
Several signs could indicate your child might benefit from a pulpotomy. If your child complains about persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or if you notice swelling around a tooth, these could be signs of pulp damage or infection.
Dr. Adeniji can evaluate the tooth and may recommend a pulpotomy to stop your child’s pain and prevent further issues.
Left untreated, an infected tooth can lead to more severe infections or the premature loss of the baby tooth, which can impact speech, chewing, and even the alignment of permanent teeth.
A pulpotomy can spare your child those problems. Some evidence suggests that children when children have a pulpotomy, they might be less likely to need a root canal or tooth extraction as an adult.
During a pulpotomy, Dr. Adeniji carefully removes the damaged pulp tissue from the tooth while preserving the healthy pulp. She then disinfects the area and applies a medicated filling to protect the remaining pulp and prevent further infection.
Finally, she places a custom crown over the tooth to restore its structure and protect it from future damage. The entire procedure is quick and comfortable for your child, and we take special care to ensure your child feels at ease throughout the process.
If your child has a toothache or you’re concerned about their dental health, we’re here to help. Call Kids Dental Center at 301-345-2881 or book online to schedule an appointment and learn more about pulpotomy.
