What is a pulpotomy or pulpectomy (nerve treatment)?
The pulp of the tooth is the hollow inner core of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue, and reparative cells. The purpose of pulp therapy in pediatric dentistry is to maintain the integrity of the affected tooth, so that the tooth is not lost, until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Dental caries (cavities) and traumatic injury are the two main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a “nerve treatment,” “baby or children’s root canal,” “pulpotomy,” or “pulpectomy.” The two common forms of pulp therapy in children’s teeth are a pulpotomy and a pulpectomy. A pulpotomy is a dental procedure that is performed when the decay in a child’s tooth reaches the pulp (nerve). The infected part of the nerve within the crown portion of the tooth is removed to prevent further inflammation and spread of disease (caries). Next, a sedative material is placed within the tooth to prevent bacterial growth and to calm the remai
