When we see a child with a cavity, we can offer treatment with a dental filling. But what if a child has an infected tooth? Instead of a traditional root canal, we can offer a conservative alternative with a pulpotomy. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about how we provide gentle treatment for infection with a pulpotomy.
The Causes and Warning Signs of Infection
When does a tooth become infected? At the center of each tooth is a collection of tissues known as the pulp. This keeps the tooth alive and healthy, overseeing the flow of blood and nutrients to and from the tooth. An infection occurs when harmful oral bacteria come into contact with the pulp, which can happen as a result of an injury to the tooth or an uttered cavity. Warning signs could include a toothache or pain when kids eat or drink. They may report discomfort in the face or jaw too, which can grow more severe with time. Eventually, the child could lose the tooth prematurely, which increases the risk of misalignment and allows infection to reach other teeth or move not the jawbone itself. But we can offer treatment with a root canal alternative called a pulpotomy!
Ensuring Your Smile is Comfortable
We always take steps to ensure your little one is comfortable. We know how to talk to kids, and will always take time to answer their questions and explain the procedure and tools we will employ thoroughly. We can numb the area where treatment is happening directly with a local anesthetic. We also have sedation, such as nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation, all of which helps kids enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, even if they have special needs or anxiety. Kids then enjoy a comfortable experience with little to no memory of the process at all.
The Pulpotomy
The procedure begins with our team opening the tooth so we can reach the pulp and remove the infected portions of the tissues, leaving some behind. With a traditional root canal, all of the interior tissues are removed. We then add a special mediated filling material. For some, this completes the process. But others may need us to cap the tooth with a custom-made crown. This brings an instant halt to discomfort and helps keep the smile intact!
If you have any questions about the pulpotomy, then contact our team today to learn more.
Treating Dental Infection in Little Smiles in Shirley, NY
Our team can treat an infected tooth to protect little smiles from discomfort and tooth loss. To find out more about us, call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY at 631.399.1600 today.
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