Pulpotomy & Pulpectomies

Pulpotomy & Pulpectomies

Hearing the words "root canal" in relation to your child can be incredibly intimidating for any parent. At LAVAAN Smiles, we want to reassure you that pediatric nerve treatments—known as pulpotomies and pulpectomies—are highly routine, surprisingly gentle, and designed to do one primary thing: eliminate your child's pain and save their natural tooth.

When deep decay or dental trauma reaches the sensitive inner pulp of a baby tooth, our compassionate pediatric experts are here to provide fast, comfortable relief.

What is the Pulp?
Every tooth has a soft inner core called the dental "pulp." This pulp contains the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues that help the tooth grow. If a cavity is left untreated for too long, or if a tooth is broken in an accident, harmful bacteria can enter this pulp chamber, causing a painful infection.

To stop the infection from spreading to the surrounding bone and the developing permanent tooth underneath, the infected pulp must be carefully removed.

Pulpotomy vs. Pulpectomy
Depending on how far the infection has spread, our team will recommend one of two highly effective treatments. Often referred to as "baby root canals," both procedures are performed under local anesthesia to ensure your child is completely numb and comfortable.

Pulpotomy (Partial Nerve Treatment)
A pulpotomy is the most common pediatric nerve treatment. It is performed when the decay and infection are isolated strictly to the upper part of the pulp (the crown portion of the tooth), but the root is still healthy.

The Procedure: We gently remove the diseased pulp from the top chamber of the tooth, leaving the healthy, vital nerve tissue in the roots intact. The empty space is then filled with a soothing, medicated material to prevent bacterial growth and promote healing.

Pulpectomy (Complete Nerve Treatment)
A pulpectomy is necessary when the infection is more severe and has traveled down into the nerve canals of the tooth’s roots.

The Procedure: Similar to an adult root canal, we carefully remove all of the pulp tissue from both the crown and the entire length of the roots. We then thoroughly clean, disinfect, and fill the root canals with a safe, resorbable material that will naturally dissolve when the baby tooth is eventually ready to fall out.

Why Not Just Extract the Tooth?
It is a common misconception that a severely decayed baby tooth should simply be pulled. However, saving a primary tooth is always our goal whenever safely possible.

Baby teeth serve as crucial natural space maintainers for the adult teeth growing beneath the gums. If a baby tooth is extracted prematurely, neighboring teeth will drift into the empty gap. This blocks the adult tooth from erupting correctly, leading to severe crowding, impacted teeth, and the need for complex orthodontic treatment in the future.

Protecting the Tooth: Pediatric Crowns
Because a tooth becomes brittle after its nerve tissue has been compromised and removed, a traditional filling is not strong enough to protect it. After completing a pulpotomy or pulpectomy, we will place a custom-fitted pediatric dental crown over the tooth.

Whether utilizing a highly durable stainless steel crown for a back molar or a beautiful, tooth-colored Zirconia crown, this final step provides complete, 360-degree protection, ensuring the tooth survives until it naturally falls out.

Fast Relief When Your Child Needs It Most
If your child is complaining of a severe toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, or you notice a pimple-like bump on their gums, don't wait. Schedule an evaluation with our gentle pediatric team right away to get them the fast, comforting care they deserve.

Visit us at one of our 3 convenient New York locations:

West Village: 474 6th Ave., New York, NY 10011 | 212-837-1833

Upper East Side: 1196 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10028 | 212-879-1845

Midtown West: 311 West 43rd St, Suite 405, New York, NY 10036 | 212-581-5050