Pulpotomy

Pulpotomy is a dental procedure that involves removing a portion of the pulp (nerve) from the crown (top portion) of a tooth while leaving the pulp in the root canal intact. This procedure is typically performed on primary (baby) teeth that have been affected by deep cavities, cracks, or trauma that expose the pulp. By removing the damaged pulp and leaving the healthy nerve tissue in the root canal intact, a dentist can help alleviate pain, prevent further infection, and preserve the tooth.

The pulpotomy procedure typically involves the following steps:

Anesthetizing the affected area: The dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth so that the patient doesn’t feel any pain during the procedure.

Removing the decayed portion of the tooth: The dentist will drill away any decayed or damaged parts of the tooth to access the pulp chamber.

Removing the pulp: The dentist will use a special tool to carefully remove the damaged or infected pulp tissue from the crown of the tooth, leaving the pulp tissue in the root canal intact. This helps to prevent further infection and pain.

Applying a medicated material: The dentist will apply a special medicated material, usually a mixture of formocresol, zinc oxide eugenol, or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), to the remaining healthy pulp tissue in the root canal. This medicated material helps to kill any bacteria that may be present in the root canal, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Sealing the tooth: The dentist will place a dental filling over the top of the tooth, sealing the access hole and preventing further infection or decay.

Follow-up care: The patient will be given instructions on how to care for their tooth after the pulpotomy. This may include avoiding hard or sticky foods, taking pain medication as needed, and scheduling follow-up appointments with the dentist to monitor the healing process.

Overall, pulpotomy is a relatively simple and effective procedure for saving primary teeth that have been affected by deep cavities or trauma. By removing the damaged pulp and leaving the healthy pulp tissue in the root canal intact, dentists can help preserve the affected tooth and prevent the need for more extensive and costly treatments such as extraction or root canal therapy in the future.