Pulpotomy Silver Spring

Preserve Your Child’s Complete Smile

Happy child smiling at her dentist

Here at Healthy Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Silver Spring, we are committed to helping young smiles thrive. Unfortunately, though, baby teeth can sometimes suffer significant damage. Rather than quickly conclude that such teeth should be removed, we might recommend that your child undergoes a restorative procedure known as a pulpotomy. This page explains what that treatment entails and why it is beneficial. Contact us if you have questions or would like to request an appointment for your little one.

Does Your Child Need a Pulpotomy?

Boy suffering from a toothache

A pulpotomy may be necessary when the innermost layer of a tooth, known as its pulp, becomes damaged or infected.

Here are some signs that your child might benefit from this treatment:

  • They are complaining of a severe toothache.
  • One of their teeth is highly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, and the discomfort lingers even after the source of the temperature change is removed.
  • One tooth is significantly darker than the ones around it.
  • A tooth has suffered visible damage.
  • There is a pimple-like bump on the gums near a tooth.

Keep in mind that a pulpotomy might be necessary even in cases where a child is not in pain.

The Pulpotomy Process

Dentist explaining procedure to child

One of the first things we do during a pulpotomy appointment is make sure your child is comfortable. Not only will we administer local anesthesia, but we may also provide nitrous oxide sedation.

Once they are settled in, we will carefully access the tooth’s interior and remove the infected tissue from the crown. (While a pulpotomy is often called a “baby root canal,” the procedures are different. In a pulpotomy, we only remove tissue from the top portion of the tooth, but a root canal is more extensive.)

Once the tooth’s interior is thoroughly cleaned, we fill it with an inert material. We may also place a crown on it to help it maintain its structure and strength.

The Benefits of Your Child Getting a Pulpotomy

Group of happy, smiling children

A pulpotomy has the potential to provide several benefits for your child:

  • A pulpotomy allows your child to keep their baby tooth until it is ready to fall out on its own. This supports the health and alignment of incoming adult teeth and prevents them from having an embarrassing or inconvenient gap in their smile.
  • This procedure can end your child’s toothache and help them enjoy better quality of life.
  • A pulpotomy may help you save money in the long run. By preserving the tooth, we may be able to reduce the need for future dental procedures, such as orthodontia.