Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy; 2 treatments for children
Pulpotomy and pulpectomy are procedures that help preserve a compromised primary tooth, so that it can complete its useful life cycle.
What is a pulpotomy?
First of all, pulpotomy is a dental procedure exclusively for children, which is only performed on primary or baby teeth.
Basically it consists of the removal of the dental pulp found in the dental crown, when it has been damaged or exposed due to cavities or a very strong blow.
Consequently, thanks to this procedure it is possible to recover an affected tooth; also controlling pain and inflammation. It also allows preserving the healthy part of the coronal pulp that extends to the root of the tooth; which is protected with a filling material.
Is it the same to talk about pulpotomy and pulpectomy?
Although both procedures are similar, they are not the same.
In the case of pulpectomy, it can be said that it is a technique applied in the same way to milk teeth, which is equivalent to endodontics or root canal treatment in a permanent tooth.
Unlike pulpotomy, which only involves part of the dental nerve; When a pulpectomy is performed, the contents of the dental pulp are completely removed, including the root of the diseased tooth.
Obviously, in both cases, the root canals must be sealed once the procedure is finished.
Finally, if the damage has been really important, the reconstruction of the tooth can be completed with a steel crown that will help preserve it.
Why do a pulpotomy or pulpectomy instead of a root canal?
During the growth stage of children, many changes occur, including, of course, dental replacement.
Starting from this premise and considering the physiological resorption process experienced by milk teeth in the short term; The repairs made to the temporary pieces must not affect their normal development.
For this reason, the material used as a filling in a root canal is different from that applied in a pulpectomy; since in the latter case it is necessary to ensure that the filling that is going to replace the pulp of the tooth is resorbable.
In any case, the intention is to ensure that a tooth that has been treated does not cause problems during replacement or interfere with the eruption of the new tooth.
Similarly, the technique used is different in children and adults; therefore, it must be applied by a duly qualified and experienced professional if good results are expected.
What is the price of the Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy treatment?
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What advantages does the application of any of these procedures offer?
It is normal for parents to worry about whether pulpotomy and pulpectomy are actually beneficial practices for their children, or if, on the contrary, it is better to extract the tooth and wait for its replacement to come out.
Obviously this may be the only option when the tooth is very damaged and it is not possible to recover it; but it is best to preserve each piece as much as possible.
That is why we present below the most important advantages of applying any of these procedures:
It increases the permanence of temporary teeth long enough to complete their replacement naturally.
Helps preserve tooth space in the arch; which could be displaced by other teeth if there is a premature loss.
Avoid the adoption of bad tongue or chewing habits, which occur when there is an empty space.
Prevents the appearance of dental alignment problems that will require orthodontic treatment later on.
It reduces the probability of psychological affectation in children when a tooth falls out and there is no replacement in the short term.
As you can see, the advantages of applying a pulpotomy and pulpectomy in young children outweigh any possible disadvantages.
Finally, if you want to know a little more about these or other procedures that help preserve your children's oral health; Request an appointment and we can gladly guide you.
Pulpotomy Procedure
As you can see, the advantages of applying a pulpotomy and pulpectomy in young children outweigh any possible disadvantages.
Finally, if you want to know a little more about these or other procedures that help preserve your children's oral health; Request an appointment and we can gladly guide you.
Local anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area and minimize any discomfort or pain during the procedure.
Isolation: A rubber dam is used to isolate the affected tooth and keep it dry during the procedure.
Cavity removal: Tooth decay is removed using appropriate dental instruments.
Coronal pulp extraction: The damaged dental pulp is removed from the crown of the tooth.
Disinfection: A disinfectant medication is used to clean and disinfect the treated area.
Filling: A filling material is placed in the pulp cavity to seal and protect the tooth.
Restoration: The tooth is restored with a restorative material such as a dental crown or filling.
Complications of Pulpotomy
Although complications may be rare, it is important to be aware of some possible problems that could arise after a pulpotomy, which could include:
Recurrent infection: Despite proper treatment, there may be cases where the infection is not completely eliminated and reoccurs. This may require additional treatment or a pulpectomy.
persistent pain: Some children may experience pain or tenderness after a pulpotomy. This may be due to inflammation or irritation of the surrounding tissues. If the pain persists, it is important to inform the pediatric dentist so that he can evaluate and treat the cause.
Tooth fracture: In extremely rare cases, the tooth treated with pulpotomy may suffer a fracture due to weakening of the dental tissue. This can occur especially if the affected tooth was already weakened by decay.
Pulp necrosis: Although it is not a common condition, in certain cases, the remaining dental pulp at the root of the tooth can become necrotic, which could require more forceful treatment, such as a pulpectomy or tooth extraction.
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