Knowledge Zone

What is pulp therapy?

The pulp of a tooth is the inner, central core of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue and reparative cells. The purpose of pulp therapy in Pediatric Dentistry is to maintain the vitality of the affected tooth so that the tooth is not lost.

 

Cavities and traumatic injury are the main reasons for a tooth to need pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a "baby root canal", "pulpotomy" or "pulpectomy". 

 

A pulpotomy is the removal of a portion of the pulp, including the diseased aspect, with the intent of maintaining the vitality of the remaining pulpal tissue followed by a therapeutic dressing and a final restoration (usually a stainless steel crown).

 

A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canal(s) of the tooth). During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and root. The canals are cleaned, disinfected and, in the case of baby teeth, filled with a resorbable material.

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