Common Signs Your Child May Need a Pulpotomy

It may be scary for a parent to learn that their child has a pulp infection. Some of them may even be wondering if their kid's primary teeth are worth all the trouble since they will fall off soon. Primary teeth play an important role in your child's oral health as they hold the space in the jaw for the adult teeth that are growing under the gums. Not to mention that they are essential for biting, chewing, and talking. 

Because of these reasons, you must make sure your child's teeth don't fall off before their time. But, what if your child has a severe tooth infection that has affected the pulp? In that case, a pulpotomy may be necessary. 

What Is a Pulpotomy? 

A pulpotomy is a dental procedure used to clean up a cavity and save a severely decayed baby tooth. It's necessary when the infection has reached the pulpitis and if left untreated it can turn into an abscess and eventually tooth loss. 

During a pulpotomy, your San Diego pediatric dentist will likely use a sedative to ensure your child is calm and relaxed throughout the procedure. In some cases, general anesthesia might be necessary to ensure your child will be comfortable during the treatment. 

Once the sedative has taken effect, the dentist will use a drill to reach the affected area and remove the decay. The space where the pulp was will then be filled with special cement and sealant and then a crown will be fitted on top of the tooth. 

Signs Your Child May Need a Pulpotomy 

Here are some of the telling signs that your child may need a pulpotomy:

• Sensitivity to cold and heat
• Pain
• Swollen gums around the infected tooth
• Cracked or chipped tooth

If you notice any of these signs, you should get in touch with your child's dentist as soon as possible. They will likely take x-rays of your child's teeth to assess the extent of the damage and determine if pulpotomy is really necessary or if there are other viable treatment options. 

Is Pulpotomy Really Necessary? 

If pulpotomy is the only way to save your child's tooth, then it's better than the alternative of losing a tooth. Many parents get scared when they hear the term "baby root canal," but rest assured that your child will be safe and comfortable through the entire process. 

If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, then that could have severe consequences on their oral health, such as: 

• The adult teeth may not have enough space to emerge properly. 
• Opposing teeth may grow crooked. 
• The remaining teeth may start shifting to fill the missing gap. 

Let Us Take Care of Your Child's Smile in San Diego

Dr. Wendy Yang together with her team at Sprouting Smiles are dedicated to delivering compassionate and positive pediatric dental care. We understand very well how stressful these visits can be both for the child and parent, so we made sure that you will feel safe and comfortable from beginning to end. 

Are you ready to join us? Contact us now to book your appointment in San Diego.