Pulpotomy

Pulpotomy is a dental procedure that involves 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. This procedure is often performed on primary teeth (baby teeth) and immature permanent teeth in children and has a reasonably good prognosis of success.

Procedure

A pulpotomy is performed under local anesthesia. The decay and the coronal pulp is removed, and the area is sterilized. A therapeutic dressing of formocresol or ferric sulfate is applied to the remaining pulp to prevent bacterial invasion and to promote healing and repair. The tooth is then restored with a stainless steel crown or a composite restoration.

Indications

Pulpotomy is indicated in cases of extensive caries that have extended into the pulp but have not resulted in a bacterial invasion of the radicular pulp. It is also indicated in cases of traumatic exposure of the pulp in a carious primary tooth.

Contraindications

Contraindications for pulpotomy include a fistula, an abscess, or pathological mobility of the tooth. It is also contraindicated if the tooth is non-restorable or if the patient has systemic conditions that would contraindicate the procedure.

Complications

Possible complications of a pulpotomy include failure of the remaining pulp to heal, which would necessitate a pulpectomy or extraction. There may also be postoperative discomfort or infection.

See also

• Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Pediatric dentistry
• Pulpectomy

Pulpotomy

• Tooth 02
  Tooth 02
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  Tooth 03
• Intraoral Periapical Radiograph showing Deciduous Tooth 75 and developing crown of Permanent Teeth 35, 36, and 37
  Intraoral Periapical Radiograph showing Deciduous Tooth 75 and developing crown of Permanent Teeth 35, 36, and 37