Infection Question: What Treatment Does My Child Need?

Is your child complaining about tooth sensitivity or aches, or do they seem fussier than usual during meals, especially if food is overly hot or cold? If so, they could be suffering from pulpitis. This occurs when bacteria in your kid’s mouth erode their enamel to penetrate and infect the tender pulp inside.

If you’re worried about your little one’s dental condition, you should contact their pediatric dentist right away. They’ll examine their mouth then recommend and appropriate treatment, like a pulpectomy of a pulpotomy, to address it. Continue reading to learn about these options and how they help!

What is a Pulpectomy?

A pulpectomy is another name for a root canal, which is a treatment used to preserve your child’s damaged or decayed tooth in circumstances that might otherwise require extraction. If they have a decayed or damaged tooth, germs are more likely to penetrate beneath its surface to irritate the tender materials inside. A pulpectomy is the tried-and-true solution for removing infected materials in both primary and adult teeth.

For this procedure, your pediatric dentist will apply a local anesthetic to help your kid feel comfortable, though they might also offer sedatives to ensure they remain calm throughout their appointment. Then, they use special instruments to create a small opening in their enamel to clear away all the injured materials from the pulp chamber and roots. Then, they’ll disinfect it to kill unwanted microbes before sealing it closed to prevent a repeat occurrence.

What is a Pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy is similar to a pulpectomy except that your child’s provider doesn’t remove all of the tender pulp inside their tooth, like during a root canal. Instead, they remove the materials located inside the crown (the tooth-shaped portion above the surface of their gums).

Although tooth-colored fillings are the standard fix for your kid’s cavities, if the decay is too close to the crown that removing eroded enamel will expose the pulp, they might recommend this solution instead. Pulpotomies are also ideal for more minor infections that don’t require that infected materials are removed from the roots.  

Which Treatment Is Right for My Child?

You likely won’t know which method is best for your little one until you consult their dentist. After they’ve examined your child’s condition, they’ll recommend an appropriate solution based on their findings. Whichever way you go, this treatment can alleviate their toothache so that they can continue eating and speaking normally while ensuring that tooth decay and other problems don’t spread to their gums, jawbone, or affect their adult teeth before they arrive.

About the Practice

At Dr. Maggie Davis & Associates, your kids benefit from three experts who are dedicated to protecting and preserving still-developing smiles. Our team of board-certified pediatric dentists collaborates to provide a comprehensive menu of services to meet even the most unique needs at one convenient location, including pulp therapy. They strive to offer world-class treatments in a family-friendly atmosphere that educates young minds about the importance of proper dental care in a fun setting. They also offer sedatives for more complex procedures to help your child feel relaxed even during complex treatments. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (727) 786-7551.