PULP THERAPY
If cavities are left untreated, they can grow and end up reaching the tooth’s nerve. This nerve is the tooth’s lifeline, providing it with nutrients to stay healthy and strong. If the nerve becomes infected, Dr. Brian Wah may recommend removing it and replacing it with medicine. This treatment is often referred to as a root canal. For children’s teeth, this is a simple procedure, and your child will not experience any pain or discomfort. Once the treatment is complete, the tooth is often topped off with a dental crown to protect it from further harm. If your child requires pulp therapy, or a root canal, in Franklin, Tennessee, please call Nashville Pediatric Dentistry at 615-905-8920 and schedule your child's appointment. With our skilled pediatric dentist, your child’s smile is in good hands.
A pulpotomy is an endodontic treatment that is most often used on primary (baby) teeth. When decay or injury reaches the dental pulp, which is the innermost layer of the tooth, your child often experiences tooth pain and sensitivity. If not treated, the tooth will likely abscess and eventually require extraction. In order to prevent this, our dentist may recommend a pulpotomy.
During a pulpotomy, we remove the decay and the pulp chamber. The area is cleaned, but unlike a regular root canal treatment, the tooth nerves are not removed or treated. In some cases, not all of the dental pulp is removed, maintaining the vitality of the remaining healthy pulp. For these situations, we often use a therapeutic dressing to maintain the healthy pulp. After the decayed pulp is removed and the tooth is cleaned, the tooth often requires a dental crown. We most often recommend stainless steel crowns for children.
While a pulpotomy is rarely recommended for permanent (adult) teeth, this treatment may be suggested if decay has reached the pulp yet much of the pulp is still healthy. If the roots of the tooth have not finished forming, a partial pulpotomy can give the tooth a chance to finish forming.
For more information about therapeutic pulpotomy and the other high-quality services we provide, please feel free to contact our office today.