Nerve Treatment Options Gainesville, VA

Understanding Dental Pulp

The inside of the tooth holds a fleshy material called the pulp. The dental pulp connects the roots, blood vessels, and nerves inside the tooth. It helps keep teeth alive and settled firmly within the jawbone. Pulp plays an important role in oral health.

Unfortunately, the pulp can sometimes become infected. An accident or severe cavity can lead to infected pulp. Once infection sets in, the pulp may need to be removed. A dentist can scoop out the infected pulp and fill the tooth. This treatment can stop the infection in its tracks.

Understanding Root Canals

If a child has extensive decay or damage, they might need a root canal. Root canals can sound frightening. But modern dentistry has made this procedure much simpler than before. Thanks to numbing medications, patients feel little to no pain during their procedure.

During a root canal, the dentist drills into the decayed tooth. They remove all the pulp and shape the inside of the tooth. Next, they fill the tooth with a solid material. Finally, the dentist places a crown on the tooth to protect it.

Root canals are safe for both children and adults, but dentists usually perform the procedure only on permanent teeth. If the child has a damaged or decayed baby tooth, the dentist may suggest another treatment. A pulpotomy or pulpectomy might be a better choice.

Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy

In a pulpotomy, dentists remove only part of the pulp. The remaining pulp, along with the roots, is kept intact. The dentist fills the tooth with a biocompatible material. Finally, they cover the tooth with a protective cap.

Pulpotomies are sometimes known as baby root canals. They provide similar results to a root canal, but they are less invasive. Pulpectomies are a little more extensive. During this procedure, the pulp is entirely removed. Then the doctor fills the tooth and applies a cap.

The goal of these procedures is to save the baby tooth. The dentist tries to keep the tooth intact until the permanent tooth comes in. If the tooth is not salvageable, the dentist may opt to extract it. The dentist can provide a space maintainer to help keep the remaining teeth in place.

Common Terms and Phrases

A pediatric dentist may perform some additional procedures during a pulpectomy or pulpotomy. These procedures are usually designed to protect the tooth's roots or get rid of the infection. They can include:

• Apexogenesis: This procedure encourages the root to continue developing. The dentist applies medication to the pulp to encourage the healing process. This treatment can help save a tooth.
• Apexification: During this procedure, the dentist removes the diseased pulp. Then they put medication into the tooth’s root. It hardens tissue near the root, providing a barrier. It can help preserve the tooth if the roots are not fully formed.
• Apicoectomy: This procedure removes the tip of the tooth’s root. It can help clear up a stubborn infection that persists after a root canal. This procedure is generally the last option before an extraction.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Parents should see a dentist right away if their child develops tooth pain. If the dentist finds a cavity, get it filled as soon as possible. Pulp infections often develop after an untreated cavity. Early treatment can eliminate the need for pulp therapy.

But sometimes, nerve pain can develop without warning. Dental nerve pain often feels sharp or sudden. Some patients describe the pain as an electric jolt. Others report a dull, constant throb. Patients might notice that their pain worsens when chewing or with exposure to heat or cold.

Parents should report their children's pain to a pediatric dentist immediately. The dentist can make a diagnosis and arrange treatment. The sooner treatments take place, the faster the child's pain will be resolved.