Pediatric Pulp Therapy

The pulp of a tooth is located at its center and contains nerves, tissue, and blood vessels that provide essential nutrients and oxygen. Pulp can be damaged by decay or traumatic injury, often resulting in painful exposure and inflammation, especially in children.

Pediatric pulp therapy, also known as root canal, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, or nerve treatment, aims to treat, restore, and save the affected tooth.

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Why Pulp Therapy Is Important

Pediatric dentists perform pulp therapy on both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. While primary teeth are temporary, they are crucial for:

  • Proper speech development
  • Effective chewing
  • Guiding alignment and spacing of permanent teeth

Signs of Pulp Injury or Infection

Inflamed or injured pulp can be extremely painful. Signs that a child may need pulp therapy include:

  • Constant, unexplained pain
  • Pain at night
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
  • Swelling or redness around the affected tooth
  • Unexpected looseness or mobility of the tooth

When Should a Child Undergo Pulp Therapy?

The pediatric dentist will assess the child’s age, tooth positioning, and overall health before deciding whether to extract the tooth or save it via pulp therapy. Premature extraction or missing teeth can lead to:

  • Shortened arch length
  • Insufficient space for permanent teeth to emerge
  • Protruding or misaligned opposing teeth
  • Painfully impacted premolars
  • Shifting of remaining teeth
  • Abnormal tongue posture

How Pulp Therapy Is Performed

Initially, the pediatric dentist will perform a visual examination and evaluate X-rays to determine the extent of pulp damage. The treatment depends on the severity of the injury or decay.

Pulpotomy

If only the tip of the pulp is affected and the root pulp remains healthy, the dentist will remove the diseased pulp and decay while preserving the healthy root. The space is filled with a biocompatible, therapeutic material to prevent infection and soothe the pulp. Most often, a crown is placed to strengthen the tooth and reduce the risk of fractures. Pulpotomy can serve as a standalone treatment or as the first step in a full root canal.

Pulpectomy

In cases of severe decay or trauma, the entire pulp including root canals may be affected. The dentist removes all pulp, cleans the canals, and fills the space with biocompatible material. Reabsorbable material is used for primary teeth, and non-reabsorbable material for permanent teeth. A crown is placed afterward to reinforce the tooth, often with a natural-colored covering if preferred by the child. Pulpectomy typically requires multiple visits.

If you have questions about pediatric pulp therapy, please contact your pediatric dentist for guidance.