Here at Williamson Pediatric Dentistry, we are proud to offer pulpal therapy for your child.
Pulp is found at the very center of every single tooth. Because of its location, we are not actually able to see it.
The main goal of pulpal therapy (also known as pulp therapy) is to save a tooth that is becoming infected. Even though baby teeth eventually leave the mouth, this therapy is in place so that children can keep their baby teeth as long as possible to be able to eat properly.
Having injured or infected pulp can be extremely painful. The pain typically does not go away on its own, and so it is important to seek out treatment as soon as possible. Some of the signs of infected pulp are unexplained pain in the mouth, pain during the night, sensitivity to warm and cold temperatures, and swelling or redness around the tooth.
Prior to having pulpal therapy, the dentist will take X-rays of the area to ensure that the treatment is necessary. This will also determine how much damage has been caused.
There are two different types of pulpal therapy. The first type is a pulpotomy. This is when the pulp root is unaffected by the injury or decay. The dentist may leave the healthy part alone and only remove the affected pulp around the tooth. The second type is a pulpectomy. This is when the tooth has been affected more. Typically, a dentist performs this when the entire tooth, including the root, is infected. The dentist will remove the pulp, cleanse the root canals, and then pack the area with biocompatible material.
If you have any questions about pulpal therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (615) 614-2424.
