When a tooth in your child’s smile is infected, then discomfort could grow with time and your little one could risk tooth loss as well. To treat it, we can offer a root canal alternative that is perfect for kids. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about the pulpotomy procedure.
The Potential Signs of an Infection
A dental infection means that harmful bacteria has reached the inner pulp, the nerve center in every tooth. The pulp controls the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth. The exposure to bacteria could be due to an untreated cavity that grows in severity, or injury to the tooth. When the infection begins, your little one could experience pain when eating or chewing, tooth sensitivity or toothaches, and welling near the tooth. Headaches and jaw pain are common, as is a discharge from the tooth itself. When one or more of these potential symptoms arise, please bring your child in for treatment right away. A pulpotomy could actually save the tooth!
Treatment with a Pulpotomy
Treatment is crucial, even in baby teeth, as lack of care could mean premature tooth loss and with it, the increased risk of dental misalignment. Our team will first examine the tooth with advanced imaging technology, so we can pinpoint the position and extent of the infection. We will numb the tooth and offer sedation to ensure your little one is comfortable and relaxed as we open the tooth to remove the infected portions of the inner tissues. We then add a medicated filling. For the front teeth, we can use composite resin to close the tooth and offer a lifelike appearance in the process. For the side and rear teeth, we may cap the tooth with a dental crown.
Protecting Little Smiles
You can help protect your kids from infections! For example, if they play full contact sports, please encourage them to wear a mouthguard to prevent injury. At home, make sure they brush and floss daily, and limit how many sugary foods and drinks they consume. Finally, be sure to see us for a checkup and cleaning visit every six months so we can control plaque buildup that often causes decay, and watch for the earliest warning signs of trouble. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat an infection, or about the pulpotomy procedure in particular, then contact our team today to learn more.
Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist Offers Root Canal Treatment
Our team is ready to stop discomfort and protect your child’s smile. To learn more about treating an infected tooth with a pulpotomy, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.
Recent Comments