The Importance of Health Checks

Child Dental Health: The Benefits of Pulpotomy Rather Than Root Canal

16 March 2017 by Roberta Craig

If you are a parent, you will want to take good care of your children's milk teeth. If your child's teeth are affected by decay or damage, they could become infected. The standard procedure for treating an infected tooth is to perform a root canal. During root canal treatment, the infected inner pulp of the tooth is removed and is replaced with a filler which helps to maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. However, a root canal can be a very painful procedure. If your child has an infected tooth, you should ask the dentist if they can perform a pulpotomy rather than root canal treatment. Below is a guide to everything you need to know about the pulpotomy procedure.

What is a pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy differs from a root canal in that only infected, or dead pulp tissue is removed from the inner tooth. Any pulp which is healthy, such as that which surrounds the root of the tooth, is left in place. Once the dead or infected pulp has been removed, the remaining healthy pulp is covered using a special filling. The tooth is then capped using a polymer or silver resin.

What are the benefits of pulpotomy compared to root canal treatment?

When compared to traditional root canal therapy, a pulpotomy offers the following benefits.

Shorter recovery times: Because less pulp needs to be extracted, a pulpotomy is easier to perform and has a shorter recovery period.

Reduced chance of complications: The healthy pulp which is left in place is treated with a sterilising fluid before being sealed with a medicated filling. These steps, combined with the body's immune response, help to dramatically reduce the chance of reinfection. Leaving some pulp in place also adds stability and strength to the tooth, which reduces the chance of any complications when your child's adult teeth begin to appear.

Improved sensation: Removing all of the pulp kills the nerve within a tooth, meaning that your child will not be able to feel any sensation. However, by retaining some of the health pulp, your child should be able to feel some sensations coming from the affected tooth. The ability to feel sensation is important, as dead teeth can become infected without a person knowing as they are unable to transmit pain signals to warn the body.

If you have any concerns about your child's dental health, you should contact a dentist today. Your dentist will be happy to assess your child's oral health before carrying out any necessary treatment.

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