What Is Pediatric Pulp Therapy

When a cavity is left untreated for too long, or when a tooth is injured, bacteria can reach the inner nerve of the tooth and cause infection or inflammation. Pediatric pulp therapy is the treatment used to address that damage. The goal is to remove the affected tissue, clear the infection, and restore the tooth so it can continue to function until it falls out naturally.

---

Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy: What Is the Difference

There are two types of pulp therapy. Which one is needed depends on how far the damage has progressed.

• A pulpotomy addresses damage that is limited to the upper part of the tooth. The affected tissue is removed, the area is protected with a medicated material, and the tooth is restored with a crown.
• A pulpectomy is needed when the damage has reached deeper into the roots of the tooth. The procedure follows the same principle: remove the infected tissue, clean the area, restore the tooth with a crown.

In both cases the tooth is kept in place, which matters more than it might seem. Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth developing underneath them, and losing one too early can affect how those adult teeth come in.

What the Procedure Involves

The appointment follows a clear sequence and is completed in a single visit.

• The area is fully numbed before anything begins. We make sure the anesthesia has taken effect and your child is comfortable before we start.
• The decayed portion of the tooth is removed to access the area that needs treatment.
• The affected nerve tissue is carefully removed and the area is cleaned and disinfected.
• A medicated material is placed to protect what remains and support healing.
• A crown is placed over the tooth to seal it and restore normal function.

After the appointment, some mild sensitivity for a day or two is normal. We provide full aftercare instructions before you leave, and children’s pain relievers are usually all that is needed during that period.

---

Frequently Asked Questions