A gentle procedure that saves infected baby teeth and keeps your child's smile on track.
Typical visit duration
Numbing & sedation available
Best for baby teeth
By dental insurance
A pulpotomy is a pediatric dental procedure designed to save a baby tooth when decay has spread deep enough to reach the nerve, or pulp, inside the tooth. Sometimes called a “baby root canal,” a pulpotomy removes only the infected portion of the pulp while leaving the healthy root structure intact.
Baby teeth play an essential role in your child’s development. They help with chewing, speech, and most importantly, they hold space for the permanent teeth growing underneath. When a baby tooth becomes severely decayed, a pulpotomy allows us to preserve it rather than remove it too early.
We apply a topical gel followed by a local anesthetic so your child will not feel any pain. Sedation options are also available for children who need extra comfort.
The dentist carefully removes the decayed portion of the tooth and the infected pulp tissue from the crown. A special medicated material is placed over the remaining healthy pulp to promote healing and prevent further infection.
A pediatric dental crown (usually stainless steel for back teeth) is placed over the tooth to protect it and restore its full function. The crown stays in place until the baby tooth naturally falls out.
Baby teeth serve as natural space holders for the permanent teeth developing beneath them. When a baby tooth is removed too early, the surrounding teeth can shift into the gap, leading to crowding and alignment problems when the adult tooth is ready to come in. A pulpotomy lets us save the tooth so it can fall out naturally on its own schedule.
Our dentist may recommend a pulpotomy when decay has progressed beyond what a standard filling can address.
A cavity that has grown large enough to reach or get very close to the nerve of the tooth.
Pain that lingers, especially when chewing or when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures.
Inflammation in the gum tissue around the affected tooth that signals possible infection.
A small bump on the gums near the tooth, which may indicate infection in the pulp.
A tooth that is unusually sensitive to pressure or temperature changes.
Most children recover in 1–2 days. Stick to soft foods, use over-the-counter pain relief, and return to normal brushing the next day.
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