Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry is a wide range of procedure that aim to preserve the primary teeth until normal shedding as early loss of primary teeth may lead to loss of space needed for proper eruption and alignment of permanent teeth. Early and regular check-up of kid’s teeth help early detection of problems which make the treatment easier and simpler.

The treatment of small cavities will be limited to simple fillings, but deep extended lesions may require kind of root canal treatment which is called pulpotomy and pulpectomy.

What is pulpotomy and pulpectomy?

Pulpotomy and pulpectomy – Are procedures to remove inflamed or infected tissue housed inside the roots of primary teeth. This particular tissue is called the pulp of the tooth. Pulpotomy is partial removal of the pulp and pulpectomy is complete removal of pulp depending on extension of infection

What happens during pulpotomy and pulpectomy?

First x-ray may be taken to assess the condition of teeth and extension of infection and have general expectation of success rate of the treatment.
Then, anaesthesia will be required to ensure doing the procedures needed in painless way, also conscious sedation may be needed for anxious child.
Next, caries will be removed and access to inflamed tissue gained by drills. In pulpotomy only inflamed part of the pulp will be removed by especially designed hand instrument, but in pulpectomy the hole pulp tissue needs to be removed by another instrument called files which can reach the end of the root to clean the whole root with the aid of cleaning solution.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, the tooth can be filled in the same visit.
The filling can be composite or crown which is recommended after pulpotomy and pulpectomy especially for high caries risk patients and in case of weak remaining tooth structure

What should one expect after pulpotomy and pulpectomy?

Your kid may have minimal discomfort in the first day which can be controlled with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or Adol.

What are the Alternatives to Pulpotomy / Pulpectomy treatment?

Alternatives to Pulpotomy / Pulpectomy treatment are either no treatment But this may end up with further complication and serious infection that necessitate extraction of the tooth

What is the Sequela of not treating primary teeth?

Untreated deep cavities may lead to damage of the pulp tissues of the tooth, if this happens bacteria will start to grow inside the roots and resorb the roots and cause severe pain and swelling. If the roots become severely resorbed treatment will not be possible and extraction will be the only choice of treatment.

What will happen in case of early removal of primary teeth?

Other teeth will tilt in the extraction space which affect the eruption and alignment of permanent teeth.

How can we prevent the tilting of teeth?

Space maintainer is kind of orthodontic appliance to avoid other teeth from drifting into the extraction space.

What is nitrous oxide sedation?

Nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation what known as laughing gas is a way to make the patient more comfortable while receiving necessary care. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is not used as routine to all the patient but actually used for anxious patient to help them be relax while the treatment.