If the tooth is pulled than the space needed for the adult tooth
will be lost leading to crowding and future need of braces.
Pulpotomy is recommended when
decay has extended deep into the tooth reaching the tooth's nerve possibility
causing an abscess or the tooth has fractured exposing the nerve.
During this procedure
only the infected tissue in the tooth is removed. A
medicated filling is placed inside the tooth and a filling is used to restore
your child's tooth.
We recommend that this tooth than be protected with a crown
so it does not fracture saving your child from more unnecessary pain and tooth
The success of the pulpotomy
depends on the severity of the infection and the body's own immune system.
If the pulpotomy fails an extraction (removal) of the tooth will be
recommended This is only done when every other avenue to save the tooth
has been tried. The space left after the extraction will need to be saved to help a
permanent tooth come in. A space maintainer appliance will be
recommended to save this space.