What is a Pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy is a partial root canal on a primary tooth. Both primary and permanent teeth are living (the “nerve”) with the nerve of the tooth extending from the root or roots of the tooth into the crown (the crown is that part of the tooth you see in the mouth). In a pulpotomy procedure the top part of the nerve of the tooth, that part in the crown of the tooth is removed. A pulpotomy is often required when decay and bacteria are very near to the nerve or when removal of the decay and bacteria causes the nerve of the tooth to be exposed. After removing that part of the nerve that is in the crown, a medication may be placed over the nerve stumps to protect the remaining nerve. With very few exceptions, any tooth that has had a pulpotomy done on it should be protected with crown. On posterior primary teeth a stainless steel crown is generally used.
