Pulpectomy

  


Pulpectomy is a procedure to remove all the pulp from the crown and roots of the tooth. Pulp is softer inner material that contains connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves.

Pulpectomy is usually performed in children to save a severely infected or damaged primary tooth and is sometimes called “baby root canal”. In permanent teeth pulpectomy is the first step in root canal procedure. While the baby tooth may not seem important for a dental procedure like this, there are valid reasons for pulpectomy. The primary tooth is reserving space for permanent tooth. Premature loss of primary tooth can cause problems like : Difficulty in chewing, Speech development issues, adjoining tooth moving in to the space, affecting the alignment of permanent teeth (can lead to crooked, overcrowded teeth that are difficult to clean)

Procedure : Pulpectomy can be performed in one visit with these basic steps:

1. Radiographs are taken to look for signs of infection in surrounding areas and to look at the shape of root canals.

2. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area.

3. A hole is drilled in to the tooth.

4. Small dental instruments are used to remove all the pulp.

5. The tooth is cleaned, disinfected and prepared for filling.

6. The tooth is filled with a resorbable material.

7. The tooth is then capped with the filling material

Material used to fill the tooth after the pulpectomy procedure is designed to be reabsorbed by the body when the permanent tooth begins to erupt.

Recovery : The child should be able to return to normal activities right away. Avoid eating until the numbness from anesthesia wears off. If the tooth was severely infected dentist may prescribe antibiotics. Area around the tooth may be slightly swollen and sensitive for a few days and can take over the counter pain relievers. Call or consult a dentist if you have any of these symptoms: Increasing pain, New inflammation or signs of infection around the tooth, Increasing sensitivity to heat and cold, Inability to chew on the tooth.

About the Author: Name: Dr. Abhilash Dandy

Qualification : B.D.S

I graduated as a Dentist from Sibar Institute of Dental sciences, Guntur. I have done my externship

program at Rutgers school of dental medicine, New Jersey, USA. I have a clinical experience of 3

years and currently working as Administrative head - Dental wing in MediCub India, Hyderabad.

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