Pulp Therapy

The Paul of the tooth is the inner or central core of the tooth. The pulp contains the nerves, blood vessels, connective tissue and reparative cells. The purpose of pulp therapy is to maintain the vitality or life of the affected tooth so it is not lost.

Cavities and traumatic injury are the main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as nerve treatment, a children’s root canal, pulpectomy or pulpotomy.  The two most common terms are pulpectomy and pulpotomy.

A pulpotomy removes the diseased pulp tissue from within the crown portion of the two. An agent is placed to prevent bacterial growth and to calm the remaining nerve tissue. This is followed by final restoration which is usually a crown.

A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved and affects the root canals of the tooth. During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and the root. The canals of the tooth are cleaned and disinfected and in the case of primary teeth they are field with a resorbable material. Then, a final restoration is placed.