How Long Does A Pulpotomy Last?
Children are susceptible to oral problems such as poor bite, cavities, and gum disease like adults. That said, it’s essential to teach your child about good oral hygiene practices and take them to the pediatric dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.
If your child regularly complains about sensitivity when consuming hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages, it might be that they have pulpits.
Pulpitis often results from untreated cavities causing inflammation of the tooth’s pulp. The dentist might recommend a pulpotomy procedure to save the tooth if your child has pulpitis.
The dentist will begin by inspecting the tooth to determine the severity of the damage. The exam might include visual, physical, and X-ray techniques to determine the need for a pulpotomy.
Remember that pulpotomy is only possible if the decay hasn’t infected the tooth’s pulp and a root canal is unnecessary.
What is Pulpotomy?
A dental pulpotomy involves removing the decayed or infected parts of a tooth’s pulp while maintaining the healthy portions of the pulp.
It’s mainly used to treat large cavities and decay in baby molars. However, sometimes it can benefit permanent teeth.
The procedure is sometimes called a pediatric root canal. The key difference between a pulpotomy and an adult root canal is that a pulpotomy only removes a portion of the decayed pulp from the crown.
Symptoms that your child might need a pulpotomy to include:
- Pain on a severely decayed tooth
- An infected tooth with a traditional filling
- Failed amalgam or composite resin restorations
- Dental trauma that exposes the tooth’s pulp like breaks, cracks, and chips
Pulpotomy: What To Expect
When installing a dental crown, the dentist will begin by numbing your child to keep them comfortable and pain-free. Next, the dentist drills through the tooth to access the pulp. The decayed or infected parts of the pulp are cleaned out thoroughly to prevent re-infection.
The dentist then fills the empty space with a medicated dental material to preserve the tooth’s health and improve strength. A crown can be cemented onto the treated tooth to protect and strengthen it further.
Benefits of Pulpotomy
There are benefits of taking your child for a pulpotomy procedure, including:
- Eliminates pain and discomfort
If a tooth’s pulp is exposed, your child will likely experience pain when biting down or sensitivity to extreme temperatures. A pulpotomy removes the infection and eliminates the associated symptoms like pain, inflammation, and sensitivity.
- Saves the tooth
The key benefit of performing a pulpotomy is to save the tooth. The dentist removes the infected parts of the tooth’s pulp, preventing further damage to the tooth. Your child gets to keep their tooth until the permanent ones are ready.
If the procedure isn’t performed sooner, the infection spreads further and eats up a significant part of the tooth’s structure. This causes the need for more invasive and costly procedures. Further delay often leads to tooth loss.
- Quick and minimally invasive
A pulpotomy is a reasonably conservative treatment that involves removing the decayed portions of the pulp while preserving the healthy portions of the tooth. Compared to an adult root canal, a pulpotomy is less invasive and can be completed in a single appointment.
- Allow for healthy oral development
Treating decay with pulpotomy preserves your child’s tooth and allows for normal oral, dental, and facial development. Pulpotomy can help prevent oral issues like poor bite, overcrowding, misalignments, and facial problems.
- Cost-effective
If pulpotomy isn’t performed and the infection spreads, it will cause the need for more invasive and costly treatments like pulpectomy.
How long can a pulpotomy last?
A pulpotomy is typically a straightforward and quick procedure. On average, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. It can take longer based on the complexity of the procedure.
Speak with your child’s pediatric dentist or endodontist to determine how long the procedure will take.
Pulpotomy Aftercare
After the treatment, the anesthesia will wear off after a few minutes. The child might also experience minor discomfort and bleeding. Use these tips to promote faster recovery:
- Give your child medication as prescribed by the dentist
- Don’t allow the child to eat until the anesthesia wears off completely
- Give your child soft foods like soup, yogurt, and eggs. Ask them to chew on the side against the treated area.
- Avoid hot, cold, and spicy food items
- Use an ice pack on their cheek to manage pain
Schedule an Appointment Today
Are you looking for a kid’s dentist near you? Contact Sunny Smiles Kids to book your appointment today.