Preserving Little Smiles: The Benefits of Pulpotomy for Baby Teeth
Although baby teeth aren’t permanent, their role in your child’s oral development is incredibly important. At Amp Orthodontics & Kids Dental in Clemmons, Dr. Adam Hoina follows a minimally invasive, holistic approach to pediatric dental care. Our goal is to preserve and protect your child’s natural teeth whenever possible. One way we can do that is through a pulpotomy—an effective, conservative procedure that treats deep decay or infection while saving the tooth.
What is a pulpotomy?
Often called a “baby root canal,” a pulpotomy is a treatment that addresses severe decay or infection in a primary tooth. Similar to a traditional root canal for adult teeth, it focuses on removing the damaged or infected pulp—the inner part of the tooth. When other preventive measures, like improving oral hygiene or using treatments like Silver Diamine Fluoride, aren’t enough to stop the decay, a pulpotomy can save the tooth from needing extraction.
What Happens During a Pulpotomy?
With careful attention to your child’s comfort, Dr. Hoina focuses on making the procedure as smooth and pain-free as possible. After helping your child relax, the tooth is numbed to eliminate discomfort. A small opening is made in the tooth to access the inner tissue. The damaged pulp is then meticulously removed, and the area is cleaned before being sealed with a filling material to protect the tooth. In some cases, a crown is placed to reinforce the tooth and ensure lasting strength.
Why Save a Baby Tooth if it Will Fall Out?
Although baby teeth are temporary, they are essential to your child’s oral health and development. Understanding the importance of these early teeth can help ensure long-term dental health. Research shows that children with decay in their primary teeth are three times more likely to experience decay in their permanent teeth. Preserving these teeth helps lay the groundwork for a healthy, confident smile in the future.
Baby teeth also act as guides for permanent teeth, ensuring they emerge in the correct positions. Losing a baby tooth too early can lead to shifting teeth, which may result in alignment issues down the road. Additionally, untreated infections in baby teeth can spread beyond the mouth, potentially leading to more serious systemic health concerns.
What if My Child’s Tooth Can’t Be Saved?
If your child’s baby tooth can’t be saved, Dr. Adam Hoina may recommend a space maintainer. Given his board-certified expertise in orthodontic care, Dr. Hoina is uniquely qualified and skilled in using space maintainers to ensure the permanent tooth grows in correctly, helping to prevent future alignment issues.
Early tooth loss is often preventable with regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene habits. If your child isn’t already on a routine schedule of visits to our Clemmons office, we’d love to see you! Call or text us at 336-999-0123 to schedule an appointment and set your child on the path to a healthier, straighter smile today.
