At the center of each tooth lies the pulp, invisible to the naked eye. This vital component consists of nerves, tissue, and numerous blood vessels that supply essential nutrients and oxygen. Children’s tooth pulp can suffer damage in several ways, most commonly through tooth decay or traumatic injury, leading to painful exposure and inflammation.
What is Pediatric Pulp Therapy?
Pediatric dentists perform pulp therapy, also known as root canal, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, or nerve treatment. This procedure aims to treat, restore, and preserve the affected tooth in both primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Although children eventually lose their primary teeth, these play crucial roles in speech production, proper chewing, and guiding the alignment and spacing of permanent teeth. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook!
Recognizing Pulp Injury and Infection
Inflamed or injured pulp causes severe pain. Even without visible signs, a child will quickly show they need to see a pediatric dentist. Other indicators include:
- Persistent unexplained pain
- Nighttime discomfort
- Sensitivity to temperature changes in food
- Swelling or redness around the affected tooth
- Unexpected looseness of the tooth
When to Consider Pulp Therapy
Each case requires individual assessment. Pediatric dentists consider the child’s age, tooth position, and overall health before recommending extraction or pulp therapy. Prematurely extracting teeth can lead to various issues, such as:
- Shortened arch length
- Insufficient space for permanent teeth
- Abnormal growth of opposing teeth
- Painful impaction of premolars
- Shifting of remaining teeth
- Abnormal tongue positioning
Pulp Therapy Procedures
After visual examinations and X-ray evaluations, the dentist determines the appropriate treatment based on the extent and location of pulp damage. Two common procedures include:
- Pulpotomy: For cases where only the pulp tip is affected, the dentist removes the damaged pulp and surrounding decay. They then fill the gap with a biocompatible, therapeutic material to prevent infection and soothe the pulp root. Usually, the dentist places a crown afterward to strengthen the tooth structure.
- Pulpectomy: In severe cases affecting the entire tooth pulp, including root canals, the dentist removes all pulp, cleanses the root canals, and packs the area with biocompatible material. This procedure often requires multiple visits. The dentist uses reabsorbable material for primary teeth and non-reabsorbable material for permanent teeth, followed by crown placement for added strength and support.
If you have any questions or concerns about pediatric pulp therapy, don’t hesitate to contact your pediatric dentist for more information.
