Pulpectomy
What is a pulpectomy?
It is a dental procedure performed on children with baby teeth. Pulpectomy is used when the damage to the pulp is already irreversible and it is necessary to clean the root canals of the tooth to avoid its extraction.
It consists of removing the entire dental pulp of the tooth due to its poor condition due to infection or other factors, mainly when there has been a cavity so large that it has reached the nerve of the tooth (pulp).
Pain is undoubtedly the symptom that most affects the patient and the unmistakable sign that something is wrong with the dental piece.
Clinical process
The procedure is similar to endodontics performed on permanent teeth.
First of all, the tooth decay is thoroughly cleaned, then the canals are located and all the pulp tissue inside is completely removed. Next, a seal is made to prevent the proliferation of bacteria with resorbable material so that it does not affect the eruption of the definitive piece. Finally, the crown of the tooth or molar is rehabilitated.
Benefits
Pulpectomy is performed only in children who are in the full growth stage, and who still keep their milk or primary teeth.
Although they are not permanent, baby teeth also play an important role in children’s mouths. They mainly serve chewing, phonetic and esthetic functions, and guard the space of the permanent teeth, preventing adjacent teeth from shifting and causing problems that may require future treatment. Therefore, whenever the child’s conditions permit and it is necessary, it is important to perform a pulpectomy to avoid tooth extraction.