Services
Pulp Therapy
When it comes to optimizing your child’s dental health, restorative measures are sometimes necessary. Pulp therapy is one of the best ways to protect teeth from further decay and improve overall dental hygiene in children. This innovative treatment helps keep kids’ smiles healthy by strengthening teeth, preventing further infection, and avoiding unnecessary extractions due to advanced cavities or injury. At Fox Pediatric Dentistry in Elgin, IL, Dr. Justin Baik expertly offers pulp therapy as a safe alternative to dental extraction for patients with severe tooth decay.
What is pulp therapy in pediatric dentistry?
Many parents take care of their children’s teeth from an early age to ensure they are healthy. However, despite best efforts, dental issues can arise. When decay, infection, or trauma unexpectedly occurs, pulp therapy may be necessary. Pulp therapy is designed to save a child's tooth by removing infected or damaged pulp tissue and replacing it with a filling or dental crown. With advancements in dentistry, pulp therapy is a much more comfortable and efficient procedure than before. By catching and addressing issues early on with pulp therapy, we can give kids the best chance for a healthy and beautiful smile.
Pulp Therapy vs. Root Canal: What’s the difference?
While pulp therapy and root canals are both endodontic treatments, the following are apparent differences between these treatments:
Nicknamed “baby root canal,” pulp therapy is a far less invasive inner tooth treatment. Pulp therapy aims to treat the top part of the tooth and remove compromised pulp tissue without excavating the entire inside of the tooth. Furthermore, baby root canals preserve as much healthy pulp tissue as possible.
Root canals are far more invasive than pulp therapy. During root canal therapy, the tooth’s pulp and tooth root are removed before filling the tooth with gutta-percha (a rubber-like material) and sealing the tooth shut.
What happens during pulp therapy?
Pulp therapy may sound daunting at first, but it’s a widespread dental treatment that can save your tooth from needing removal. The process involves removing the top portion of the pulp, the soft tissue inside your tooth, to relieve pain and prevent further damage.
First, Dr. Justin will numb the area with a local anesthetic to ensure a painless procedure. He might offer additional dental sedation if necessary. Then, using specialized tools, our pediatric dentist will access the pulp chamber and carefully remove the diseased or damaged tissue. Once the infected pulp is removed, a medicated material is placed in the chamber to promote healing and protect the remaining healthy tissue. Finally, the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown to prevent further discomfort. With pulp therapy, you can rest easy knowing your tooth is in good hands and that you’re taking the necessary steps to maintain your child’s oral health.
Start Pulp Therapy at Fox Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Justin wants to ensure all children’s dentistry appointments run smoothly—even with more complex restorative treatments (like pulp therapy). Call (224) 629-4125 or contact Fox Pediatric Dentistry online to learn more about pulp therapy in Elgin, IL.
