Pulpotomy

Underneath the exterior of a tooth is a pocket filled with nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This is known as the “pulp” of the tooth. When a tooth has a bad cavity, the pulp of the tooth is exposed. This can be very painful because the sensitive nerves and tissue are vulnerable. If your child is complaining of a toothache, it might be because he or she has a large cavity. In this case, we’ll do a pulpotomy to remove the damaged pulp. A pulpotomy is a fairly common procedure for decayed baby molars.

During a pulpotomy, we first remove damaged tissue, sterilize the area, and then replace the pulp with a medicated filling. Sometimes, it is then necessary to place a crown to restore the structure and appearance of the tooth. A pulpotomy is usually very successful in saving a badly decayed baby molar.

Cavities that affect the pulp of the tooth can be quite painful. If your child is experiencing severe tooth pain, he or she may need a pulpotomy. Call Thorn Run Dental Care at 412-269-9466 to schedule an appointment.