A Pulpotomy Treats Your Child’s Dental Infection
When your child has an infection, then a dental filling may not be enough to bring relief. Instead, your little one may need a root canal alternative we refer to as a pulpotomy. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about the benefits of treating little smiles with a pulpotomy procedure.
The Cause and Symptoms of Infection
Children often develop an infected tooth due to an untreated cavity. A cavity forms when the outer enamel is weakened, usually as a result of plaque buildup weakening outer enamel, exposing the sensitive inner structure to bacteria and causing tooth decay. This buildup could be brought on by improper brushing and flossing, combined with a diet high in sugar and starch. Without treatment, cavities only grow in size and severity until bacteria reach the inner pulp, the nerve center of the tooth. At this point, an infection develops. Your children could experience a sensitive and aching teeth, pain when they bite down and chew, and aches in the jaw and head. Swelling near the tooth is possible too, as is a discharge from it.
Ensuring a Comfortable Experience
When your kids experience one or more of the warning signs we discussed above, we recommend scheduling a visit right away. Our team will use digital x-rays and intraoral cameras to thoroughly examine the tooth and assess the presence and severity of an infection. If pulpotomy treatment is needed, we will start the process by ensuring your kids feel calm and comfortable. Our team will administer a local anesthetic to the tooth receiving treatment, and we could also offer sedation to help them enter a calm and relaxed state during treatment.
Pulpotomy
Once your child is properly relaxed, we will open the tooth and remove the infected portions of the inner tissues. We then add a special medicated filling. For some, we will cap the tooth with a crown. For the side and rear teeth, we could use stainless steel, which ensures greater bite forces. For the front facing ones, we may use zirconia which is able to better blend with the smile.
To help prevent infection from developing, we urge you to make sure your kids brush twice a day and floss every evening. They should use a fluoride toothpaste too! Try to offer snacks and meals low in sugar and starch, depriving harmful oral bacteria of the particles needed to create plaque buildup. Finally, schedule a checkup and cleaning every six months!
Your Dallas, TX, Dentist Offers Restorative Dentistry
Our team is ready to help your children enjoy good oral health again! If you have any questions about restoring the health and beauty of little smiles, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Restorations for Kids