Some dental procedures can be complicated and daunting, especially when unfamiliar terms are used, which is unknown to common people. Both a pulpectomy and a pulpotomy are dental procedures that involve similarities with the treatment of issues within the tooth pulp, but they vary in what their purpose is, explains a family dentist in Boston, MA. This helps patients make better choices by differentiating the procedure. In this article, we will discuss the indication, procedure, and benefits of both procedures.
What is Dental Pulp?
The dental pulp is the part in the center of a tooth made up of blood vessels and connective tissue. It is responsible for nourishment and sensation, playing a vital role in shaping the tooth as it grows.
What is a Pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy is usually done in children and it can also be performed on adults if necessary. Only the coronal part of the dental pulp is extirpated (the removal is cleaved from pulps placed in tooth crowns. A pulpotomy aims to remove the infected or inflamed pulp tissue but leave behind healthy pulp in root canals.
Indications for Pulpotomy:
- Extensive decay
- Pulp exposure
- Proximity of a pulp to a carious lesion
Procedure:
Anesthetic: Local anesthetic is applied to numb the target tooth.
Drilling: An opening is made in the crown of the tooth using a dental drill to open access into the pulp chamber.
Removal: The removal of coronal pulp tissue if turned infected or inflamed
Medication: A medicated dressing, often containing a substance like formocresol, ferric sulfate, or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), is placed over the remaining pulp tissue to promote healing and prevent infection.
Restoration: The tooth is then restored with a crown or filling to protect the tooth from future damage.
Benefits of Pulpotomy:
- Keeps the Natural Tooth and It Keeps Its Function
- A pulpotomy is less invasive.
- Better formation of natural teeth in kids
What is a Pulpectomy?
On the other hand, a pulpectomy is an extended procedure typically carried out on brand-new permanent teeth but might likewise be executed for primary teeth when required. This is the process of removing all pulp material in both crown and root canals. A pulpectomy usually precedes a root canal; the void canals are filled and sealed.
Indications for Pulpectomy:
- When the tooth decay has gone so deep that it reaches into your pulp and root canals.
- Non-healing (chronic) pulp infection or abscess.
- Irreversible pulpitis (pulp is not repairable).
Procedure:
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is used to numb the irritated tooth.
- Canal Access: An opening is made in the crown of a tooth using a dental drill (bur) to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Root Canal Treatment: The pulp is completely removed
- Cleaning and Shaping: To guarantee that all diseased tissue is eliminated and the canals are ready for filling the root canals are cleaned and shaped with specialist tools.
- Restoration: The tooth is closed with a filling or crown to maintain and protect it from future deterioration.
Benefits of Pulpectomy:
- Replaces lost tooth so there can be no infection or pain and removes all infected tissue.
- Helps in avoiding the transfer of infection to nearby tissues.
- Conserves the remaining natural teeth, removing the necessity of extraction
Pulpotomy and pulpectomy are two important dental procedures that deal with the disease of a part rather than removing it, but these parts have specific functions in your tooth depending on where they are. Knowing the difference can help patients and parents in making choices regarding dental treatments to ensure a healthier mouth. Always consult the dental professional to determine which procedure is best for your tooth, since teeth vary from case to case.
