Pulpotomy

Sometimes referred to as a baby root canal or a partial root canal, a pulpotomy aims to save an infected tooth – the part known as the dental pulp.

It is normally performed on children to try and salvage what is left of a decayed primary or deciduous tooth (typically a molar) – but unlike a regular root canal, a pulpotomy only removes infected pulp from the exposed part of the tooth, not the root. Once the infection has been cleared, a dental crown is usually recommended to restore a baby tooth to full function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a pulpotomy necessary?

Baby teeth are important for maintaining the structure of your child’s jaw and ensuring the adult teeth emerge in the right place. In heavily decayed teeth, a pulpotomy will help to prevent the development of infection under the tooth.

Is the procedure painful?

No, as Pulpotomy procedures are performed on living teeth, we will use pain-free, computer-aided local anaesthetic using The Wand STA to ensure your child is comfortable.

What are the advantages?

The baby tooth will continue to maintain the space for the adult tooth to erupt when it's ready. This procedure helps children get out of pain from a decayed tooth.

What are the disadvantages?

In the days following their procedure, your child may experience some residual pain caused by inflammation. We recommend to give them over the counter pain relief if required. If pain occurs and does not resolve the tooth may have become infected and may require removal. Pulpotomy procedures are not 100% successful.

What happens after the procedure?

If treatment is successful, we will recommend a stainless steel crown to protect the remaining tooth structure.

Pulpotomy

Frequently Asked Questions

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