Does Your Child Need a Pulpotomy? PartTwo
When an adult allows a cavity to progress for some time, it can lead to an infection requiring root canal treatment. But when the same cavity progression happens to a kid, most pediatric dentists recommend a less invasive approach. This often means conducting a pulpotomy, which helps remove infected portions of the tooth, while leaving the rest of the tooth safe and in tact. As a parent, if you’re worried about taking your child for restorative treatment, or just curious what that treatment will entail, here is what you need to know about pulpotomies and how they can help save your kids’ smiles.
What Is a Pulpotomy, Anyways?
A pulpotomy is a procedure specifically designed to carefully remove badly damaged or infected portions of a tooth, usually parts of the nerve tissue known as the pulp. After this portion has been removed, the dentist can then apply a medicated filling, which helps to protect the tooth from further damage, but also helps heal the tooth.
In some cases, the dentist may also recommend a dental crown, for further protection, but this is not always necessary.
If a cavity isn’t treated at this stage, it may lead to a painfully abscessed tooth, and eventually the need for an extraction. So if your child is complaining of dental pain, or you have another reason to suspect he or she has developed a cavity, it’s best to schedule an appointment with the pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Remember, prompt treatment is key to maintaining a healthy smile, or to quickly restoring oral health in the case of dental problems like cavities!
But Will It Hurt?
No parent wants to see his or her child in pain. Fortunately, restorative dentistry can actually help eliminate dental discomfort. And modern dentistry provides a number of ways to help keep patients comfortable leading up to and during restorative treatment.
To help keep prevent pain during a pulpotomy, anesthetics will be used. But many patients can also benefit from the use of sedation, as well, such as nitrous oxide (known as laughing gas). Sedation can even help prevent or treat dental anxiety.
filed under: Children's Dental Services, Restorations for Kids