Protecting Your Most Precious Smile
When your child begins complaining about a toothache that won’t seem to go away, the best people to call are our experienced team at Waban Dental Group. Our board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Brys, has years of experience and is an affiliate of the Franciscan Children’s Hospital, allowing our team to provide your little one the highest quality of care in a professional environment. To learn more about this procedure and how it can help ease your child’s discomfort, call our office today.
Why Choose Waban Dental Group for a Pulpotomy?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist On-Staff
- Dental Insurance Accepted & Maximized
What is a Pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy, also called a baby root canal, gets its name because it’s used to predominantly treat baby teeth, while root canals are used to treat permanent teeth. Instead of removing the entire pulp of an infected temporary tooth, Dr. Brys is able to preserve more of its natural structure by only removing the infected part of the pulp and restoring and protecting the tooth.
Some signs that your child may need a pulpotomy in Newton are:
- There’s visible decay on one or several of their teeth
- They’re experiencing a persistent toothache or dental sensitivity
- The gums around a tooth are inflamed or very red
- A tooth looks visibly darker than surrounding teeth
If you notice any of these, we encourage you to call our office to schedule a same-day emergency exam for your little one so we can help them get more comfortable.
How Does a Pulpotomy Work?
A pulpotomy can be broken down into four major steps:
- First, Dr. Brys will administer a local anesthetic near the affected tooth to numb the area and help your little one feel more comfortable. If necessary, we also offer children’s dental sedation to provide them with a more positive experience.
- Any decayed dental structure is removed, and the inner chamber of the tooth is accessed via a small window in the top surface of the molar. This will give Dr. Brys access to the pulp.
- The infected portion of the pulp will be removed and the remainder of the pulp will be treated with a special medication. This will ensure that the tooth doesn’t become reinfected after treatment.
- Lastly, your child’s pediatric dentist in Newton will fill and seal off the tooth and restore it with either a stainless steel or tooth-colored dental crown. This will help provide it with an additional layer of protection until it naturally falls out on its own.
The Benefits of a Pulpotomy
One of the greatest benefits of opting for a pulpotomy for your child instead of a tooth extraction is that it can help them maintain higher confidence by saving and preserving their natural smile. By doing this, our team is also able to help preserve their dental alignment by maintaining space in their arch that’s needed for their permanent tooth to grow in correctly. All of this in addition to helping your child get out of pain!
