Pulpotomies provide a gentle, effective way to save your child’s infected or severely damaged baby teeth while preserving their natural smile and proper oral development. At House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand pulpotomies are often the best alternative to tooth extraction when baby teeth have significant decay or trauma. Our experienced team uses advanced techniques and gentle approaches to treat infected teeth while ensuring your child feels comfortable and safe throughout the procedure.
House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides comprehensive pulpotomy services designed specifically for children with infected or damaged baby teeth. Our pediatric dentistry team uses proven techniques and high-quality materials to save teeth that might otherwise need extraction. We’re committed to providing comfortable, effective treatment that preserves your child’s natural teeth and maintains proper oral development.
A pulpotomy is a procedure that removes the infected or inflamed portion of the nerve (pulp) from the crown of a baby tooth while leaving the healthy nerve in the roots intact. This treatment allows the tooth to remain in place until it naturally falls out, maintaining proper spacing and function.
Baby teeth serve important functions beyond just chewing, including maintaining space for permanent teeth and supporting proper speech development. When a baby tooth becomes severely infected or damaged, extraction may seem like the obvious solution, but removing teeth prematurely can lead to space loss and orthodontic problems later. Pulpotomies allow us to save these important teeth while treating the infection effectively. The procedure involves removing only the infected portion of the nerve tissue, leaving the healthy roots intact to continue supporting the tooth.
This conservative approach is particularly beneficial for children because it preserves the natural tooth structure and function while eliminating pain and infection. The treated tooth can continue to serve its important role until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Saves baby teeth that might otherwise need extraction, maintaining proper oral development.
Keeps natural space holders in place for permanent teeth to erupt properly.
Removes infected tissue while preserving healthy tooth structure and function.
Pulpotomies are typically recommended when baby teeth have deep cavities that have reached the nerve, causing infection or inflammation. These situations often develop when small cavities are left untreated and progress to involve the tooth’s nerve tissue.
Common signs that your child may need a pulpotomy include persistent tooth pain, especially at night or when eating, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, swelling around the affected tooth, or a small bump on the gums near the tooth. Some children may not experience obvious symptoms, which is why regular dental checkups are so important for early detection of problems. The decision to perform a pulpotomy is based on careful evaluation of the tooth’s condition and the extent of infection present. We use diagnostic techniques including clinical examination and X-rays to determine if the tooth can be successfully treated with a pulpotomy.
Not all infected baby teeth are candidates for pulpotomies. Factors such as the extent of infection, the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining, and the child’s overall oral health all influence the treatment recommendation.
Gentle numbing ensures your child feels no discomfort during the procedure.
Careful removal of infected nerve tissue while preserving healthy root structure.
Application of special medication to promote healing and prevent reinfection.
We’ve designed our pulpotomy process to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible for children. Our team takes time to explain each step and help your child feel confident about their treatment.
The procedure begins with gentle numbing of the area to ensure your child’s comfort throughout the treatment. We then carefully remove the infected or inflamed nerve tissue from the crown portion of the tooth while preserving the healthy tissue in the roots. Special medications are applied to promote healing and prevent reinfection. The tooth is then restored with a filling or crown to protect it and restore full function. The entire process typically takes 30-45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.
Most children experience significant relief from pain and discomfort following a pulpotomy. The treated tooth can continue to function normally for eating and speaking while the child’s permanent teeth continue developing.
Dr. Goodloe
Pediatric dentist with advanced training in pulpotomy techniques and pediatric endodontics.
Our experienced team brings years of experience in pediatric pulpotomy procedures and endodontic treatment. We understand the unique challenges of treating children and provide gentle, effective care in a comfortable environment.
Concerned about your child’s tooth pain or infection? House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to provide gentle, effective pulpotomy treatment designed specifically for children.
We understand discovering an infected tooth in your child can be concerning, and we’re dedicated to providing comfortable, high-quality treatment that saves their natural teeth while eliminating pain and infection. From initial evaluation through post-treatment care, we’re committed to making the experience positive and stress-free. Contact us today to schedule your child’s pulpotomy consultation and restore their comfort and oral health.
We use gentle anesthesia to ensure your child feels no discomfort during the procedure.
Most pulpotomies are completed in 30-45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the case.
The tooth is restored with a filling or crown to maintain its natural appearance and function.
Successfully treated teeth typically last until they naturally fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.
Avoid hard or sticky foods for the first day, then gradually return to normal diet as comfort allows.
27220 Highway 290 Suite B
Cypress, TX 77433
Phone: 281-727-0511
Fax: 281-727-0512
Pulpotomies provide a gentle, effective way to save your child’s infected or severely damaged baby teeth while preserving their natural smile and proper oral development. At House of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand pulpotomies are often the best alternative to tooth extraction when baby teeth have significant decay or trauma. Our experienced team uses advanced techniques and gentle approaches to treat infected teeth while ensuring your child feels comfortable and safe throughout the procedure.
