What is a pulpectomy procedure and why might your child need one?
Did you know that your child’s teeth are made up of three layers? There’s the outer enamel, the inner pulp, and at the very centre of the tooth is the root. One of the most common issues with children’s teeth are dental infections which can be caused by dental trauma or decay. If the infection goes undetected, your child may end up suffering from irreversible pulpitis where they could need to have a pulpectomy procedure.
A pulpectomy procedure is often a ‘last report’ type of treatment, so let’s explore what it entails and in what event your child may need one.
WHAT IS A PULPECTOMY PROCEDURE?
A pulpectomy procedure removes the infected or diseased pulp of the tooth. A pulpectomy procedure is similar to a root canal procedure done in adult teeth.
Once the infected pulp is removed from the tooth, the inside of the tooth is then disinfected to remove any residual bacteria and filled with a medicament. The medicament is in the form of a paste and has antibacterial properties.
A pulpectomy procedure may either be performed under local anaesthetic and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation (laughing gas or happy gas) or during a general anaesthetic procedure. We will discuss these options with you as well as any other information prior to your appointment so that you know exactly what to expect. In addition, we can help you relay the important information to your child in a reassuring and easy to understand way.
HOW IS A PULPOTOMY PROCEDURE DIFFERENT FROM A PULPECTOMY?
A pulpotomy procedure involves removing the inflamed pulp from the crown (the upper part of the tooth). In comparison, a pulpectomy procedure removes all of the pulp within the tooth (including the roots).
The aim of a pulpotomy is to preserve the healthy pulp tissue whereas a pulpectomy removes the entirety of the pulp. Pulpectomies are reserved in teeth where the pulp tissue is irreversibly inflamed.
To determine which procedure is best for your child, a thorough examination will be performed by their paediatric dentist.
WHY ISN’T MY CHILD’S INFECTED TOOTH REMOVED?
It is important to maintain the baby teeth in children. Losing a baby tooth early can lead to loss of space for the developing adult teeth.
While we may recommend tooth extraction, we always try to use this as a last resort.
If for some reason your child does lose their baby tooth early, then they may need space maintainers to help maintain space for the developing permanent tooth.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR YOUR CHILD TO RECOVER AFTER A PULPECTOMY PROCEDURE?
It will generally take a few hours for the effects of the anaesthetic to subside. As a result, it is best to stick to soft and cold foods until the numbness wears away.
Pulpectomy procedures are generally safe. In a few cases your child may experience pain and swelling immediately following the procedure. It is best to contact your dentist should this occur
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR DENTAL VISITS
Prevention is always ideal when it comes to children’s teeth. Ensuring you maintain your regular preventive visits with your dentist is the simplest way to identify any issues early.
By booking regular visits to see one of our paediatric dentists or oral health therapists we can ensure we catch any issues early.
If your child is overdue for their next appointment give us a call on (02) 9188-0202 or book online here.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics and to help begin the conversation with your children’s dentist. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care professional prior to incorporating this as part of your child’s diet or health regimen.