{"id":53,"date":"2024-05-01T20:04:20","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T20:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trinitypediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=53"},"modified":"2025-08-10T20:18:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T20:18:05","slug":"does-my-child-need-a-pulpectomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitypediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/does-my-child-need-a-pulpectomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Does My Child Need a Pulpectomy?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sometimes kids can\u2019t help but need \u201cgrown up\u201d things a little earlier than expected. Kids with larger feet might need to ditch the kid\u2019s department and start wearing adult-sized shoes while they\u2019re still in elementary school, or they might even have graduated off the kid\u2019s menu if they have the appetite for an adult-sized entr\u00e9e. But one thing that your child hopefully will not need ahead of schedule is to lose a baby tooth. Thankfully, a tooth infection doesn\u2019t automatically mean a pulled tooth. A procedure called a pulpectomy<\/a> can help preserve an infected baby tooth without needing tooth removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is a Pulpectomy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A pulpectomy is a procedure that is performed to clear out infected tooth pulp from an otherwise healthy tooth. Pulp is a soft material located inside of both adult and baby teeth and is home to its blood supply and nerve endings. Pulp is how your teeth sense hot and cold. It also circulates blood, and even generates dentin which helps keep the tooth strong, but if the pulp becomes infected, it will need to be removed before the entire tooth becomes compromised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is a Pulpectomy Performed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, the pediatric dentist will numb your child\u2019s tooth, so they do not feel any discomfort during the procedure. The dentist will then place a rubber dental dam in their mouth to keep the tooth free of saliva and bacteria and then drain the infected pulp from the tooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, the tooth will be disinfected, and re-filled with a medicated replacement material and therapeutic dressing. Finally, the dental dam is removed, and your child is free to return home.  Any pain from the tooth infection should be gone, although it is common to experience a little sensitivity for a few days after the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Importance of Saving Baby Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your child\u2019s baby tooth becomes infected, you may be wondering why the dentist doesn\u2019t just remove it. After all, it\u2019s only a baby tooth, and a new tooth will grow in its place, right? While it\u2019s true that baby teeth will eventually fall out to create space for adult teeth, it is important for kids to keep their baby teeth until their permanent teeth are ready to erupt. Not only do baby teeth help your child chew and speak properly, if you remove them too early, they can cause misalignment, crowding, or malocclusion when the adult teeth finally do appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child needs a pulpectomy, there\u2019s no need to be afraid. This procedure is quite common, and it will provide plenty of pain relief, all the while protecting both the infected tooth and surrounding healthy teeth. With this treatment, your child\u2019s mouth doesn\u2019t have to grow up too quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Dr. Thorburn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Board Certified pediatric dentist Dr. Meghan Thorburn loves helping children smile. Whether it\u2019s performing a routine exam or a restorative procedure like a pulpectomy, Dr. Thorburn is living proof that there\u2019s no reason to be afraid of the dentist!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make an appointment for your child with Trinity Pediatric Dentistry, please visit our website<\/a>, or call us at 682-688-3636.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes kids can\u2019t help but need \u201cgrown up\u201d things a little earlier than expected. Kids with larger feet might need to ditch the kid\u2019s department and start wearing adult-sized shoes while they\u2019re still in elementary school, or they might even have graduated off the kid\u2019s menu if they have the appetite for an adult-sized entr\u00e9e. 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