When an adult has a broken or infected tooth, the go-to treatment is often what is known as a root canal. For kids, however, this can look a little different and is typically corrected with either a pulpectomy or a pulpotomy. Here’s what these two procedures entail, and why if your child’s dentist recommends one, there’s no reason to hesitate!
What is a Pulpectomy
When the inside pulp of your child’s baby tooth becomes infected, it’s important to clear away the damaged nerves and tissue to alleviate their pain and prevent the infection from spreading to nearby teeth and throughout the body. To do this, their dentist may perform what is known as a pulpectomy. This treatment is very similar to a root canal, in that it completely removes the infected pulp, cleans the tooth, and replaces the matter with synthetic materials that keep the tooth healthy and strong until it’s ready to fall out naturally.
The benefit to this treatment is that it avoids extracting the tooth prematurely, which could cause future alignment issues such as crowding that may require in orthodontic care later. It also helps protect the rest of your child’s smile from infection and stops the discomfort in the treated tooth.
What is a Pulpotomy
While a pulpectomy removes the pulp completely, a pulpotomy only removes the pulp in the visible portion of the tooth, not in the root canals. This treatment is ideal for teeth that have decay that has not spread outside of the crown into the roots. In fact, pulpotomies aren’t just for kids; you (or any adult) could get one too if you have a similar infection!
The Benefits of Pulp Treatment
While many parents are often curious about why their child’s dentist doesn’t simply remove the infected tooth, as mentioned before this treatment helps preserve the baby tooth so it is allowed to function properly and maintain space for the other teeth to grow in on schedule. This can eliminate a variety of bite issues later but also make it easier for your child to continue to eat a full diet and speak clearly.
Remember, if your child is suffering from a painful tooth infection, pulp therapy can save it from extraction and allow them to continue using it as intended. Not only will these treatments alleviate their present discomfort, but they will also maintain the proper spacing in their mouth so their adult teeth can develop on schedule without complicating their bite.
About Dr. Huynh
Dr. Ivan Huynh earned his bachelor’s degree at the Ohio State University and his DMD at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and proud member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. To schedule a pulp therapy treatment at Sunny Shore Pediatric
Dentistry of Lake Saint Louis, visit our website or call us today at 636-265-6073.