What is a pulpotomy procedure for baby teeth?

A pulpotomy is a procedure used to restore infected baby (primary) teeth in kids. Most commonly, baby teeth become infected due to untreated tooth decay (cavities). This happens when the cavity destroys the outer layer of the tooth, and attacks the soft pulp inside your child’s tooth.

How painful is a pulpotomy?

This procedure is used to remove infected pulp from under the tooth’s crown. It’s less invasive than a root canal. You should experience no pain during a pulpotomy and only minor pain afterward.

How is a pulpotomy done?

In a pulpotomy, the dentist only removes the pulp in the tooth’s crown while leaving the pulp in the roots. In a pulpectomy, the dentist removes all of the pulp and replaces the pulp in the roots with cement.

Do you need a crown after a pulpotomy?

The dentist will remove all the infected material in the pulp of the crown only, leaving the living tooth root intact. After a pulpotomy on a baby molar, the empty space will be filled with dental cement and a stainless steel crown will be placed to restore the tooth.

How long will a pulpotomy last?

Timing: A pulpotomy can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, and in some cases, slightly longer. Location: The procedure will take place in the dentist’s office.

How long does pain last after pulpotomy?

Pulpotomy After-Care Following your child’s pulpotomy, discomfort, pain, and swelling are expected for the first few days. We recommend using cold compresses and over-the-counter medication to reduce the pain and swelling. If issues persist after a few days, please let us know.

How much of the pulp is removed in a pulpotomy?

The procedure involves removal of 1 to 3 mm (0.04 to 0.1 in) of inflamed pulp tissue beneath an exposure to reach the level of healthy pulp tissue.

Why is pulpotomy not used in permanent teeth?

The issues associated with coronal pulpotomy in permanent teeth are uncertainty on the pulpal status at the time of treatment, lack of predictability, and absence of any scientific and valid evidence on long term follow-up and success rate [13].

Is a pulpotomy a root canal?

A pulpotomy is more invasive than a standard filling, but a root canal is far more invasive than a pulpotomy. With a pulpotomy, only the top most pulp is removed. With a root canal, all the tooth’s pulp must be removed, including the roots, before filling and sealing.

Is pulpotomy done in permanent teeth?

Pulpotomy is considered as a treatment for immature permanent teeth with pulp exposure due to caries or trauma that gives evidence of extensive coronal pulpitis, and also as an emergency procedure for permanent mature teeth until root canal treatment can be accomplished (2).

Is pulpotomy permanent?

Disagreement exists concerning pulp capping and pulpotomy as a permanent treatment option in mature permanent teeth. It is universally accepted; however, that vital pulp therapy is indicated for pulp exposure in teeth with incompletely formed roots.