Pulpotomy is a dental procedure that is utilized to save the life of a severely decayed or damaged tooth. A general pediatric dentist or an endodontist can perform this procedure. One of the major dental issues that this treatment can fix is pulpitis. Keep reading to learn more about this treatment, what to expect, and aftercare tips.

What Is Pulpotomy?

Pulpotomy is a treatment which involves the removal of an infected coronal pulp found deep in the tooth. When a coronal pulp is infected, it is referred to as pulpitis. The infection causes the coronal pulp to be inflamed, leading to the following:

• Pain or discomfort when chewing.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold drinks and foods.
• Toothache.

So, when you visit the pediatric dentist who performs pulpotomy near you, they can recommend the procedure to :

• Relieve pain caused by the inflamed coronal pulp.
• Prevent infection to other healthy teeth.
• Remove the dental pulp in your tooth.

Can Pulpotomy Be Done on Kids?

At times, your kid’s teeth can have immature root formation. Fortunately, you can take your child to pediatric dentistry in Houston for pulpotomy. This is because the treatment leaves your kid’s tooth roots intact and able to grow, making it an effective procedure. So, when the tooth roots are left intact, there will be enough space for permanent teeth to grow.

When Is Pulpotomy Recommended?

Below you will find conditions that necessitate pulpotomy treatment:

• Tooth trauma leads to the exposure of the tooth’s pulp.
• Failed composite resin or large amalgam fillings.
• Pain on a tooth that is severely decayed: and you don’t want to have it removed.
• Cracked tooth syndrome.
• Deep tooth cavities expose the pulp during a tooth filling.

What To Expect During the Procedure

After getting a dentist who carries out pulpotomy in Houston, they will first perform an X-ray. The x-ray images will be essential in determining whether or not the surgery is needed. Moreover, the dentist will see your tissue and bone density, which can dictate the procedure’s success. People who have severe bone and tissue loss cannot undergo pulpotomy.

If you’re a good candidate for the procedure, the dentist will proceed to administer local anesthesia to numb the affected area. Isolation equipment will be used to separate the infected tooth from the rest of the mouth. The endodontist can use a rubber dam or intraoral suction to isolate the tooth.

After isolating the tooth, the dentist removes the decayed parts of your tooth until the pulp is visible. Once the dentist can access the pulp chamber, the coronal pulp is cut, and bleeding is controlled using formocresol or ferric sulfate.

Any other infected areas in the pulp chamber are removed, and cleaning is done. The tooth is then sealed using pulpotomy drugs like calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate: known as MTA. The good thing about MTA is it is biocompatible, making it suitable for dental procedures.

Depending on the severity of the decay, the endodontist can recommend a dental crowns near you. The dental crown will protect the tooth from trauma and chewing forces which can damage the vulnerable tooth. In addition, the crown can help restore the chewing function of your tooth and making more stable.

Aftercare

You should monitor your child after pulpotomy treatment. This is because your child will feel lightheadedness due to the sedation. During this moment, you may notice your child feeling nauseated or begins to vomit. This is normal and should clear after some time.

There can also be slight bleeding after the treatment. During this period, you should avoid eating until the sedative wears off. This is because you can unknowingly bite your inner cheek as your mouth is numb.

Once the sedative wears off, stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs and soup. Any hard, crunchy foods should be avoided as they can easily tear the treated area.

Use a warm saltwater rinse by adding half a tablespoon of salt to a glass of warm water. The importance of a warm salt water rinse is it balances the acidity level in your mouth, eliminating any harmful bacteria.

Recovery

During recovery, you may experience numbness, swelling, and temporary bleeding. These symptoms should be after a few hours. The dentist can recommend painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

However, if you notice your child’s gums are red and swollen and complain of pain later after the procedure, you should call the pediatric dentist at Urbach Pediatric Dentistry. The pediatric dentist will schedule an appointment to examine your child’s treated tooth as soon as possible.