Pediatric Dentistry - Pulpotomy

Pulpotomy is a dental procedure that is done to save a tooth that is very decayed. A pulpotomy is utilized in children to save infected baby (primary) teeth. Baby teeth are most commonly infected due to untreated cavities that destroy the tooth's outer layer and attack the soft pulp inside.

Baby teeth that have extensive caries (cavities) and some degree of pain occasionally require that the "coronal" (top) portion of that tooth's nerve be removed before a filling or a crown (preferably) is placed. The main goal of this procedure is to preserve the baby tooth since baby teeth help maintain adequate room for permanent teeth. Pulpotomies have published success rates that range from 60% to 90% and represent a good and reliable way to save a badly decayed baby tooth.