Pulpotomy Procedure

Infected Tooth Pulp Symptoms

A tooth is kept alive by the blood vessels, nerves, nutrients and oxygen contained in the pulp. If the pulp in a baby tooth is infected by decay or exposed by a broken tooth, we may have to perform a pulpotomy.

Symptoms of damage to the pulp include pain—

• when exposed to extremes of hot or cold.
• for no apparent reason.
• in a broken tooth.

The Procedure

To help your child relax, we may suggest using nitrous oxide, a harmless sedative sometimes called "laughing gas.”

We begin the procedure when we are sure the area is numb.

We might use a rubber dam to keep the tooth dry and to prevent anything from going down your child’s throat.

We first make a small hole in the tooth and remove only the pulp above the gumline, leaving the roots intact.

Next, we place a medicated barrier over the pulp in the roots and seal the tooth.

Following that, we place a stainless steel crown. The crowned tooth will fall out when it is replaced by the permanent tooth.

Common Procedure

A pulpotomy is a common procedure that can relieve pain and sensitivity, can prevent infection from going into the tooth roots or the surrounding gums and teeth and save the tooth.

A pulpotomy will help permanent teeth to come in properly and save your child’s healthy smile.