Pulpotomy Procedure

Before conducting the pulpotomy procedure, the dentist will first have to diagnose the issue. The dentist will run an x-ray exam, which will reveal a deep dental decay in the tooth. The dentist will have to decide if it’s possible to repair or save the tooth after the decayed parts are removed. If the decay is too deep, the tooth may just require tooth extraction. In some cases, the dentist may also have to make other arrangements to facilitate the proper eruption of the permanent teeth.

The dentist will also have to decide if the nerve within the pulp is still healthy. If the nerve is still healthy, the dentist will only need to remove the infected pulp through the pulpotomy procedure. However, if the nerves are dead, then the dentist will need to conduct a root canal treatment or pulpectomy to remove the infected pulp and the nerves. Based on these factors, the dentist will decide if the tooth is ready for the pulpotomy procedure.

Even when it comes to treating the inflamed nerve, there are two approaches that the dentist could potentially go for — indirect pulp cap or pulpotomy.

Indirect Pulp Cap is a procedure in which the dentist won’t remove the pulp chamber of the nerves. Instead, the dentist will medicate the region to control the inflammation and save the teeth. This, however, may not always be possible.

Pulpotomy will usually be the second approach since it’s more invasive. This is a procedure in which the dentist will remove the pulp above the nerves that go into the tooth’s root. In addition to removing the infected pulp, the dentist will also medicate the region with the nerves to minimize the inflammation and save the nerve from further damage.

After the pulpotomy procedure, the tooth will be restored. If the infected tooth was a molar, the dentist may use a stainless steel crown. If the infected tooth was one of the front teeth, the dentist may use composite resin or other similar materials.

How to Prevent Pulpotomy in Primary Teeth?

If you don’t want to have to go through the pulpotomy procedure, then you need to protect your children’s teeth and encourage oral hygiene habits. The following are some tips that can help you prevent pulpitis or the need for pulpotomy:

• Your children should use a fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth at least twice a day.
• They should regularly rinse their mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• You should also take your kids to regular dental cleaning appointments at intervals of 6 months. The dentist or dental hygienist will ensure that there’s no plaque and tartar accumulation and they’ll catch the disease before they get severe.

What is the Treatment to Prevent Root Canal?

Root canal is a serious procedure in which the dentist has to drill into the affected tooth and remove all of the pulp along with the nerves. This saves the tooth but it also completely weakens it, thus necessitating a dental crown to protect the tooth from further damage. However, if it’s not too late, the pulpotomy procedure can potentially prevent root canal altogether.

Pulpotomy is a similar procedure to root canal. But, as already discussed, pulpotomy only necessitates the removal of the infected pulp and not the live nerves. Instead, the dentist focuses on saving the nerves and medicating it to prevent inflammation. If the infection hasn’t yet killed the nerves, then a pulpotomy is the perfect treatment to prevent a root canal.