PULPOTOMY

A pulpotomy is the removal of a portion of the pulp, including the diseased aspect, with the intent of maintaining the vitality of the remaining pulpal tissue by means of a therapeutic dressing. A healthy tooth has a space inside it called the “pulp space” which is filled with soft tissues – nerves, blood vessels, and pink connective tissue. If a tooth gets a large cavity, the bacteria in the decay can damage the pulp, which is often what causes toothache. Primary (Baby) teeth in children have relatively large pulp/nerve spaces and a cavity does not have to get very large before it reaches the nerve. When the soft tissue in the pulp chamber is infected (has bacteria in it) or affected (is inflamed), it must be removed by the dentist under local anaesthetic.  

If the soft tissue in the canals is still healthy enough, a special medicated filling can be put into the chamber in an attempt to keep the remaining pulp (in the canals) alive. The process of removing the pulp from the chamber is the actual “pulpotomy”. 

Afterwards the tooth is restored with a regular filling and can still act as a functional placeholder until the permanent successor erupts.