What Is Pulp Therapy?
Pulp therapy, sometimes called a baby root canal or pulpotomy, treats infection or inflammation in the pulp, which is the living tissue inside a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. When decay or trauma affects the pulp, treatment is needed to eliminate infection, relieve pain, and save the tooth.
Unlike adult root canals, pediatric pulp therapy is typically simpler because baby teeth have different anatomy. The goal is to preserve the tooth until it falls out naturally, maintaining space for the permanent tooth developing beneath it.
When Pulp Therapy Is Needed
Your child may need pulp therapy if they have a deep cavity that has reached or is near the nerve, a cracked or fractured tooth exposing the pulp, trauma to a tooth causing nerve damage, or persistent toothache or sensitivity.
During your child's examination at our Pickering office, we use X-rays and careful evaluation to determine whether the pulp is affected and what type of treatment is needed.
Types of Pulp Treatment
There are two main types of pulp therapy for children. A pulpotomy, the more common procedure, removes infected pulp from the crown portion of the tooth while leaving healthy root pulp intact. This is appropriate when infection hasn't spread to the root.
A pulpectomy removes all pulp tissue from both crown and roots, similar to an adult root canal. This is needed when infection has spread throughout the tooth.
What to Expect During Treatment
Pulp therapy is performed under local anesthesia to ensure your child's comfort. Many children also benefit from nitrous oxide or sedation to help them relax during the procedure.
After numbing the area, we access the pulp chamber, remove infected tissue, and place medication to help the remaining tissue heal. The tooth is then sealed and covered with a crown to protect it and restore normal function.
The procedure typically takes forty-five to sixty minutes. Your child may experience mild sensitivity afterward, but this usually resolves quickly with over-the-counter pain medication if needed.
Families from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and throughout Durham Region trust Hi Five Kids Dental & Braces for pulp therapy that saves damaged teeth and protects developing smiles.
