Nerve Treatment on Baby Teeth

If a baby tooth has decay that has entered the nerve, or pulp, of the tooth, or if the tooth has suffered trauma, it may cause hot and cold sensitivity or constant pain. A nerve treatment, might be recommended to preserve the tooth until it is ready to come out on its own and be replaced by its permanent counterpart.

Saving a baby tooth instead of extracting it can help prevent issues with self-confidence, chewing, speech development, and bite alignment.

If your child has a broken tooth with exposed pulp, complains of hot/cold sensitivity or pain in a tooth, suffers trauma to the mouth, or if you notice a sudden change in your child’s eating habits, call Little Koala Pediatric Dentistry as soon as possible.

The Procedure

When performing the nerve treatment on baby teeth, Dr. Lee, Dr. Amy, and Dr. Grant will remove the diseased pulp tissue from the tooth. The two common forms of nerve treatment in children’s teeth are the pulpotomy and pulpectomy.

A pulpotomy removes the disease nerve (pulp) tissue within the crown portion of the tooth. Next, an agent is placed to prevent bacterial growth and to calm the remaining nerve tissue. Once a tooth has had nerve treatment, it is weakened and must usually have a crown placed over it in order to help support the remaining tooth structure until it is ready to fall out on its own.

A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canals (s) of the tooth). During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and root. The canals are cleaned, disinfected and, in the case of primary teeth, filled with a resorbable material. Then a final restoration (usually a stainless steel crown) is placed. A permament tooth would be filled with a non-resorbing material.

There may be some slight post-procedure discomfort. Make sure to maintain a regular home care schedule to prevent the need of a nerve treatment on any other baby teeth.