When your child has a toothache, it might be tempting to assume it’s a simple cavity. However, sometimes, a deeper problem requires special care. At Discovery Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics, we offer treatments like root canal therapy and pulpotomy to address infections and save primary teeth in a comfortable, child-friendly environment. Our skilled dentist, Dr. Afsoon Fazeli, provides compassionate, gentle care, ensuring your child’s experience is as stress-free as possible.

Root Canal Therapy vs. Pulpotomy: What’s the Difference?

Root canal therapy and pulpotomy are two procedures used to treat infected or damaged teeth in children. While they may sound daunting, these treatments are essential for maintaining healthy smiles:

• Pulpotomy (or "baby root canal"): This procedure removes the infected pulp from only the crown portion of a tooth, typically treating infections in the tooth's upper part.
• Root Canal Therapy: This treatment removes infection from both the crown and roots, preserving the tooth entirely.

Why Save Primary Teeth?

You might wonder why a primary (baby) tooth needs this kind of treatment if it will eventually fall out. Here’s why saving these teeth is vital:

• Guidance for Permanent Teeth: Primary teeth act as placeholders, maintaining proper spacing for adult teeth.
• Prevents Orthodontic Issues: Premature loss of primary teeth can lead to misalignment and the need for braces later on.
• Reduces Pain and Discomfort: Treating infection alleviates pain, making your child feel better quickly.
• Protects Overall Health: Prevents infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
• Helps with Eating and Speaking: A healthy set of primary teeth aids in proper chewing and speech development.
• Promotes Confidence: Maintaining a healthy smile contributes to a child’s confidence and well-being.

What to Expect During Root Canal or Pulpotomy at Our Carlsbad Office

We understand that dental procedures can be intimidating for children, so we make the experience as comfortable as possible. Here’s a step-by-step look at what your child can expect:

1. Comfort and Relaxation: We use gentle techniques and local anesthesia to ensure your child feels comfortable and pain-free.
2. Accessing the Tooth’s Pulp: A small opening is made in the tooth to reach the infected area.
3. Removing the Infection: For a pulpotomy, we only remove infected tissue from the crown; for a root canal, the infection is removed from the root as well.
4. Cleaning and Sealing: We clean the affected area and seal it to prevent future infection.