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.
Pulpotomy FAQs
What Does a Pulpotomy Feel Like?
Before your child’s procedure, our team will ensure that their mouth is adequately numbed to make sure that they don’t feel any pain. However, despite the reputation that procedures like pulpotomies and root canals have, in truth, they are not outright painful at all. Your child may feel a slight pinch or small amount of pressure during the procedure, and they may deal with some soreness for a day or two afterward, but the procedure is not something they should worry about; it’s made to be quick and gentle!
Does My Child Need a Pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy is effective for preserving a tooth when it’s seriously decayed, but it might not always be the most viable option. Unless the inflamed pulp gets confined to the crown of a tooth, a pulpotomy cannot be performed. The tooth must be restorable for the procedure to be done. However, assuming all of this is the case, and your child is in decent oral health, they are an ideal candidate for a pulpotomy. If your child has been dealing with persistent tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or swelling around the tooth, these could be signs of pulp damage.
How Can I Prepare My Child for a Pulpotomy?
Preparing your child for their pulpotomy is essential for ensuring their comfort and cooperation during the treatment. You should begin discussing the procedure with your child well in advance, using child-friendly language and simple terms so they can understand how it’s going to help their hurting, troubled tooth. You should also discuss comfort measures that will be taken – and you might even promise them a reward afterward for doing a good job!
When Can My Child Eat After Their Pulpotomy?
Since their mouth may be tender for a day or two following their pulpotomy, it’s best for your child to avoid chewing on the side of their mouth where the procedure was performed. They should also stick to a soft or liquid-only diet for the first 24 to 48 hours, opting for options like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt and soft cheeses, boiled pasta, protein shakes, smoothies, etc. Be sure that they’re also staying hydrated in order to help their body recover.
Is Pulpotomy the Same Procedure as Root Canal Treatment?
A pulpotomy has some similarities to a root canal, but they are technically different procedures. A pulpotomy removes only some of the pulp from the tooth, preserving as much of the tooth as possible, while a root canal removes the pulp entirely before the tooth is refilled and sealed with a dental crown. Both procedures allow the tooth to remain inside the mouth, which is always a preferred outcome when possible. Since root canals are difficult to perform on children, they’re typically only reserved for adults/permanent teeth, making pulpotomies the preferred choice in pediatric dentistry.