Pediatric Pulpotomy or Pulpectomy at Family Dentistry in Bowie, MD

At Superior Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we take pride in providing the best dental care for patients of all ages, including babies and children.

When a child’s tooth pulp gets inflamed or damaged, the child needs immediate treatment to save the tooth and relieve any associated pain. Our dentists specialize in pediatric pulpotomy and pulpectomy procedures to address these dental issues. These treatments are necessary to relieve your child’s pain and protect the overall health of their teeth.

How to Know When Your Child Needs Treatment

Tooth pulp exists beneath the enamel and deep in the center of the tooth. It is the soft area filled with blood vessels and the nerves that connect down through the roots and to the ends of the teeth. The pulp is responsible for nourishing the teeth and providing the sensory function necessary to detect pain, temperature, and pressure changes.

In children, tooth decay or trauma can cause damage to the tooth pulp. For example, a cavity can allow harmful bacteria to break through the outer barrier and reach the tooth’s center. This infection can cause severe pain for your child and eventually break down the tooth itself.

Here are some signs that your child may need a pulpotomy or pulpectomy:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
• Swollen, red, and sensitive gums
• Unexplained and persistent mouth pain
• Sudden looseness of the tooth

Treatments and Procedures

Depending on the severity of the pulp damage, there are two options for treatment. Dentists perform these procedures primarily on baby (primary) teeth, and they are safe for both children and babies.

Pulpotomy

When only a portion of the pulp becomes infected or damaged, the child may only need a partial removal. The dentist will remove the infected pulp from within the crown and leave the healthy pulp behind. This option remedies the problem while keeping the healthy parts of the tooth intact.

Pulpectomy

Sometimes the damaged pulp affects the entire tooth and root. When this happens, the child often needs a pulpectomy to save the tooth and relieve the child’s pain. This procedure involves the full removal of the tooth pulp, full cleansing and medication of the root’s canal, and a replacement crown.

Keeping Your Child Comfortable

Here at Superior Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we understand that going to the dentist with your child can cause anxiety for either parent, child, or both! Rest assured that our dentists and dental hygienists do everything in our power to ensure that your child stays comfortable and pain-free.

We may use a local anesthetic to ensure that the removal goes smoothly and painlessly for both of these procedures. For higher-anxiety children, your dentist may present an option for safe sedation before administering the local anesthetic.

Schedule an Appointment for Pediatric Dental Care

You can count on Superior Cosmetic and Family Dentistry to provide the best dental care for your children. We believe in keeping our little patients happy, healthy, and comfortable throughout all their dental needs and treatments. Call us at (301) 464-2323 to schedule an appointment or click here to contact us today.