The goal of vital pulp therapy or pulpotomy, also known as a “baby root canal” is to save healthy dental pulp in the root of a tooth that has decay in the crown. It is most often performed on children diagnosed with pulpitis (inflamed pulp due to infection). In this procedure, the dentist removes diseased pulp from the crown of the affected tooth and fills the crown with medicated material to preserve the healthy pulp tissue in the roots. Vital pulp therapy is only recommended when there is no swelling or abscess around the tooth and it is not loose.
Why Not Pull the Tooth?
Some teeth are too decayed to save, but it is preferable to save a tooth if possible, even a baby tooth. Baby teeth perform several important functions: they are placeholders for their adult counterparts, and they help your child speak clearly and chew their food effectively. Vital pulp therapy is a more cost-effective and less invasive option for saving a tooth than full root canal therapy. It can eliminate tooth pain and combat the spread of decay.
How Danville Dental Group Can Help
If your child is experiencing tooth pain, contact Danville Dental Group right away. The dentist will examine the tooth and determine what type of treatment will be the best option. Call us at (802) 684-1133 or send us an email.
