Description

When the inner pulp of a tooth becomes infected, the typical treatment for adults is a root canal. However, a procedure called a pulpectomy is often the best option for saving a primary (baby) tooth in children. A pulpectomy involves removing the entire pulp from a primary tooth in an attempt to relieve pain associated with an infection and to prevent a complete extraction of the tooth. Ways to Help Your Child Avoid a Pulpectomy Why Would Your Child Need a Pulpectomy? The most common reason for a child needing a pulpectomy is because a cavity went untreated for too long, and the soft pulp within a child’s tooth becomes infected. Sometimes decay will develop under a restoration, such as a filling, and the tooth’s pulp is eventually damaged. Once the infection reaches the pulp, your child may complain of toothache and pain, as well as tooth sensitivity, especially to hot and cold temperatures. Another reason for needing this procedure is because your child has sustained some type of dental trauma or injury that has caused a tooth to crack or break. Oftentimes, breaks and cracks aren’t severe enough to warrant a pulpectomy. However, if the crack is deep enough to expose the inner pulp, it can cause severe pain and sensitivity until a pulpectomy is performed. Pulpectomies are specific to children’s baby teeth because the roots are slightly different than permanent teeth . Why Not Just Remove the Tooth Completely? You might be wondering why the dentist wouldn’t just remove a tooth that’s eventually going to fall out on its own anyway. The fact is baby teeth serve more than one purpose. Removing baby teeth can have a serious impact on the way your child is able to eat and speak. For example, too few baby teeth will make chewing very difficult, increasing the chances of choking because the child is unable to grind down the food properly. Your child’s baby teeth also affect how the permanent teeth fall into place. You can think of their baby teeth as markers that give the permanent teeth a place to go when they eventually erupt through the gums. By removing one or more baby teeth, this can ultimately result in severe orthodontic crowding, misalignments, and malocclusion. Also, children’s confidence and self-esteem will benefit from having all their baby teeth, rather than missing teeth prematurely.