Illness, wellbeing, health and tooth care concept. Portrait of emotional stressed Afro American little boy can't stand intolerable pain in dental cavity, holding hand on his cheek and screaming

When your child wakes up with a toothache that will not go away on its own, we can provide timely relief. This symptom can indicate a bacterial infection that must be removed to prevent it from traveling to other parts of the body. At this stage of life, it may be possible to perform an alternative to root canal therapy called a pulpotomy. This procedure can leave their tooth’s roots in place while removing bacterial deposits and cleaning out decayed material.

At your Shirley, NY pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we provide emergency dental care for little patients that experience an injury. This includes sudden toothaches that take permanent hold of their little mouths. By removing their tooth’s infection, we can stop the painful condition that they cannot and should not ignore. Because children’s jaws are still developing, this procedure leaves their tooth intact to preserve their bite and support their oral health. Taking the time to learn about our services can help you make the right decision when it comes to preserving your child’s smile!

How Your Child’s Tooth Receives An Infection

When our teeth are healthy, the outer enamel layer protects the insides from bacteria that live inside our mouths. A child’s smile is no different, and when an injury breaks this seal, the insides are exposed to the possibility of infection. As bacteria take root inside of the inner pulp chamber, their immune system creates an inflammatory response that swells against the nerves within. This swelling sends a painful signal that they require urgent care to relieve their infection. While we can treat this condition when they occur, regular dental visits can help prevent decay from getting to the point where the enamel breaches. If it has been longer than six months since your kid received an exam, call to schedule one today!

Receiving A Pulpotomy

We can perform this procedure to prevent the infection from spreading or requiring a full extraction of the tooth itself. While we expect baby teeth to fall out naturally, removing the tooth prematurely can cause the jaw to not fully grow. This is one of the reasons why preserving their little smile is so important to their development. Using special tools, we will enter the pulp chamber and clean the decaying tissues within. While a root canal takes away the entire infected pulp and nerve, a pulpotomy leaves the nerve. To finish the procedure, we will apply a crown or resin to restore it to its original look.

Talk To Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist About Root Canal Treatment For Your Child’s Infection

We can provide emergency relief when your child has a tooth infection. To learn more about removing oral bacteria with a pulpotomy, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.