Pulpotomy

Tooth decay that has reached the nerve or pulp of a baby tooth requires a pulpotomy. The pulp of a tooth includes the nerves & blood vessels of the tooth. The dentist will access the nerve chamber of the tooth, and remove the infected part of the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. The chamber is cleaned and a final restoration is placed – usually a crown.

Pulpotomies have a 90% success rate. Occasionally, the nerve of the tooth is so badly damaged that it does not respond to pulp therapy, resulting in the need for extraction of the offending tooth.