Pulp therapy is a common endodontic procedure often recommended for children. It is usually preferred for extensive tooth decay that cannot be treated through regular fillings.
Pulp therapy offered by the relaxation dentist in Breckenridge, CO, helps eliminate pulp infection, relieve pain, and restore damaged teeth.
| Pulp therapy is a common dental procedure performed, especially in children with a prime objective of eliminating the diseased pulp (inner layer of the tooth consisting of blood vessels and nerve endings), followed by tooth restoration. It is popularly known as pulpotomy, pulpectomy, and nerve treatment.
Pulp therapy can be performed for both primary (baby) and permanent teeth. Though the primary teeth eventually shed off, they are essential for proper chewing and speech and to guide the alignment and spacing of permanent teeth. |
Warning signs that indicate the need for pulp therapy
A pulp infection can be debilitating, causing pain, discomfort, and increased tooth sensitivity. Certain warning signs may alarm you to seek immediate dental care. These include:
- Unexplained, excruciating, and persistent pain that may increase in intensity
- Pain may not reduce even after taking medication
- Radiating pain to the jaws, ears, and neck
- Extreme tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
- Presence of an abscess around the root tip with or without pus discharge
- Swelling, redness, and tenderness around the affected tooth
Types of pulp therapy and how it is performed
The type of pulp therapy depends greatly on the exact location and extent of the infection. Based on these criteria, there are two types of pulp therapies. These include:
Pulpotomy
- It involves the removal of the crown part of the pulp (coronal pulp), leaving the pulp tissues in the root (radicular pulp) intact.
- The removed portion is then replaced with a therapeutic material that provides antimicrobial properties to help soothe the remaining pulp tissues and protect them.
- The tooth is later restored with a crown to strengthen the tooth structure.
Pulpectomy
- This procedure involves the removal of the entire pulp tissue, including the coronal and radicular pulp.
- The root canals are cleaned and packed with a biocompatible material.
- A resorbable material is used to fill primary teeth, while the permanent teeth are filled with a non-resorbable material.
- This is finally restored with a tooth-colored crown.
Conclusion
Despite several preventive measures, children are prone to dental caries due to unhealthy eating habits and poor oral hygiene. Pulp therapy can effectively treat teeth with decay that involves the pulp, thereby preventing premature tooth loss.
