While cavities are very common in children and teenagers, if they are left untreated, they can cause the inside of the tooth to become infected. When this happens, Dr. Shannon De Vera may need to perform a pulpotomy or root canal therapy to save the tooth. Both of these procedures can remove the infection and help our patients avoid having to get their tooth removed. To learn more about a pulpotomy or root canal therapy in Humble, Texas, we invite you to contact our team at Smile Big Pediatric Dentistry by calling 713-697-6453 today!
A pulpotomy and root canal therapy are almost the same treatment. The main difference, however, is that a pulpotomy is performed on baby teeth, and root canal therapy is performed on permanent teeth. Both procedures are usually performed when a tooth becomes infected, and they focus on removing the infection to bring back the tooth’s health. Both a pulpotomy and root canal therapy provide effective results that can help our patients smile big once again.
When a baby tooth becomes infected, many parents wonder why a pulpotomy is even necessary, since baby teeth will eventually be replaced with permanent teeth. While it is true that baby teeth will fall out, they play a major role keeping good oral health and guiding permanent teeth into their proper place. Plus, if an infected baby tooth is not treated, the pain from the infection can increase, and the infection can spread to other parts of the mouth, including the jaw bone and other teeth. This can lead to more complex and expensive treatments later on.
When your family visits our practice, a careful dental examination will help us determine whether a pulpotomy or root canal therapy is the right course of action. Contact us today with any questions, and to schedule a visit if a child or teenager in your family is experiencing dental pain.