Dr. Moncy Mathew is committed to ensuring that your child’s teeth remain healthy and strong throughout their development. Pulp therapy is one of the specialized pediatric dental services we provide to treat infections and preserve primary teeth. Sometimes, a tooth has damage or infection that needs more than just a filling. In these cases, pulp therapy or a pediatric root canal will save the tooth from extraction.
While this procedure may sound intimidating, it’s a safe and effective way to save a damaged or infected tooth. Let’s discuss why a child might need pulp therapy, what the procedure involves, and how it benefits your child’s dental health.
Why Would My Child Need Pulp Therapy?
Pulp therapy is often recommended when the soft tissue inside a tooth, called the pulp, becomes infected or damaged. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, and if it becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause severe pain. This can happen for a variety of reasons:
- Deep Cavities: If a cavity is left untreated for a long time, it can progress deep into the tooth, affecting the pulp.
- Tooth Trauma: A blow to the tooth, such as from an accident or sports injury, can damage the pulp, leading to pain or infection.
- Decay Under Fillings: If a filling becomes loose or falls out, bacteria can get inside the tooth and infect the pulp.
- Severe Tooth Sensitivity or Pain: If your child complains of constant tooth pain, it could be a sign that the pulp is affected.
If you don’t treat an infection inside a tooth, it can get much worse. The infection can spread and create a painful pocket of pus called an abscess. In the worst cases, you could even lose the tooth.
Pulp therapy fixes this by cleaning out the infection. The main goal is to save the tooth. For a baby tooth, this lets it stay in place and do its job until it’s ready to fall out on its own.
What’s Pulp Therapy?
Pulp therapy for children is a procedure where the infected or damaged pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. The goal is to save the tooth and prevent the infection from spreading. A pediatric dentist might recommend one of two types of pulp therapy:
- Pulpectomy: This procedure involves completely removing the infected pulp from the tooth. Dr. Mathew then cleans the space inside the tooth, fills it with a special material to prevent further infection, and seals the tooth.
- Pulpotomy: This procedure is typically used when only the top part of the pulp is infected. Dr. Mathew removes the infected part of the pulp, leaving the healthy tissue intact. The area is then filled with a special material to protect the tooth and allow it to heal.
The type of pulp therapy your child needs will depend on the extent of the infection and the condition of the tooth. Dr. Mathew will carefully assess the tooth and recommend the best treatment.
What to Expect During the Pulp Therapy Procedure
Pulp therapy is a relatively simple and quick procedure. Here’s what you can expect during your child’s visit:
- Exam and X-rays: Dr. Mathew will begin by examining your child’s tooth and taking X-rays to determine the extent of the infection and to see if any other teeth are affected.
- Numbing the Area: To ensure your child’s comfort, Dr. Mathew will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic. This will prevent any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
- Removing the Infected Pulp: If your child needs a pulpectomy or pulpotomy, Dr. Mathew will carefully remove the infected or damaged pulp from inside the tooth. This is done with special dental tools.
- Cleaning and Sealing the Tooth: After the pulp is removed, Dr. Mathew will clean the inside of the tooth thoroughly to remove any bacteria or debris. Then, the tooth will be sealed with a special material to prevent future infection.
- Placing a Crown (if needed): In many cases, a crown is placed over the tooth after pulp therapy to provide extra protection and strength, especially for back teeth (molars) that are used for chewing. The crown will help the tooth continue to function properly until it naturally falls out.
Benefits of Pulp Therapy for Children
While pulp therapy may sound intimidating, it has many benefits for your child’s dental health. Some advantages include:
- Preserves the Tooth: The main goal of pulp therapy is to save the tooth. The dentist removes the infection and then seals the tooth back up. This lets your child keep their tooth, which is especially important for a baby tooth. Keeping it in place helps it hold the spot for the adult tooth underneath until it’s ready to come out on its own.
- Prevents Further Infection: By removing the infected pulp, pulp therapy prevents the infection from spreading to other teeth or causing more serious problems like abscesses.
- Relieves Pain: If your child has tooth pain because of an infected pulp, pulp therapy will eliminate the source of the pain, allowing them to eat, drink, and speak comfortably again.
- Maintains Space for Permanent Teeth: The space may close up if a baby tooth is lost too early from infection, making it difficult for the permanent tooth to grow. By preserving the baby tooth with pulp therapy, you help ensure that the permanent teeth will have enough room to erupt.
Aftercare and Recovery
After the procedure, your child may have some mild discomfort or soreness around the treated tooth. This is normal and you can manage it with over-the-counter pain relievers, as recommended by your dentist. It’s important to avoid hard or sticky foods for a few days to give the tooth time to heal. Schedule regular follow-up appointments to check the tooth’s progress and ensure it’s healing properly.
Does your child need a root canal? Contact our Lee’s Summit dental office at 816-375-4539 or request an appointment online.