Pulpotomy – Worcester, MA
Carefully Addressing the Source of Your Child’s Tooth Pain
A pulpotomy is a common pediatric dental procedure used to treat tooth decay that has reached the pulp, or innermost portion, of a child’s tooth. It’s sometimes called a baby root canal, and it comes with all of the same benefits – including addressing the source of severe tooth pain! Better yet, it keeps your child’s baby tooth from needing to be extracted. If your child is in need of a pulpotomy, our team can help – call us today for assistance.
Why Choose Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln for a Pulpotomy?
- Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists on Staff
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Dental Insurance and MassHealth Accepted
Does Your Child Need a Pulpotomy?
It can be challenging to determine on your own if your child needs a pulpotomy. However, if they’re experiencing a persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, swelling around the affected tooth, or an obvious cavity, it’s crucial to schedule an appointment with us. These issues do not typically clear up on their own, and in fact, will only continue to worsen until the tooth is lost. Even though the baby teeth are meant to fall out naturally later on, it’s still beneficial for your child’s dental health to retain them all until then. Following a quick examination by our team, we’ll be able to tell if this procedure can assist your little one.
The Pulpotomy Process
The first thing we’ll do is numb your child’s mouth to ensure that they are comfortable throughout the process. Next, after cleaning the area, a small opening is made to access the compromised portion of the tooth, which is then removed. This preserves the healthy portion of the tooth, allowing it to remain inside the mouth – which is the preferred outcome, since these teeth guide the development of the future permanent teeth. Once the decayed tissue has been fully removed, the tooth is sanitized and sealed up with a crown or a filling. Although your child may experience a little mild swelling and discomfort following their pulpotomy, the procedure is not outright painful at all, and it ensures that the infection isn’t capable of spreading and causing harm to other teeth.
The Benefits of Getting a Pulpotomy
Pulpotomies offer numerous benefits for children, including:
- Alleviating Pain – These treatments relieve the discomfort caused by decayed or infected pulp tissue, as well as prevent the spread of infection to other areas of the mouth.
- Preserving Tooth Structure – Pulpotomies allow children to keep their natural teeth, helping with speech development and chewing.
Preventing Misalignment – By preserving baby teeth until they fall out naturally, these procedures ensure proper spacing for permanent teeth.