Pulpectomy vs pulpotomy: Which Procedure Best For Your Teeth
Pulpectomy vs pulpotomy are dental procedures that treat the tooth's pulp. The pulp is the center of the tooth and comprises tissues, nerves, and blood vessels and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Different factors can damage the pulp of the tooth, which will lead to cavities, exposure of the pulp, and extreme pain that causes inflammation and compromises the health of your tooth. Both pulpotomy and pulpectomy are safe and effective dental treatments that allow you to restore the health of your damaged tooth.
Although both treat the pulp of the tooth, they are different procedures. If you need either of these procedures, you can find more information about both dental treatments below to help you tell them apart.
What is a pulpectomy?
Pulpectomy dental definition is a dental procedure where the crown and root canal are removed from the pulp chamber. If you have an infection that involves the tooth's crown as its root, the dentist may indicate a pulpectomy.
It is a procedure performed on teeth that are no longer alive and can be used on primary teeth with dead pulp and permanent teeth with infected pulp. With this dental treatment, the entire root canal will be cleaned to avoid a more serious infection in the tooth.
A pulpectomy is usually performed in children who have irreversible necrosis or pulpitis. Depending on your condition, the dentist will tell you which pulpectomy filling material to use.
The procedure of a pulpectomy
To know the difference between pulpectomy vs pulpotomy, it is important that you know the steps that the dentist follows to perform each of the dental procedures. The pulpectomy procedure is as follows:
• The dentist should first inject local anesthesia to reduce pain and discomfort in the area of the tooth to be treated.
• The dentist will drill the tooth crown and make a hole to access the infected pulp or pular chamber.
• The pulp of the roots will be extracted with a tool called a file. Currently, larger files remove all particles and clean the infected area completely.
• The root canal will be rinsed with sodium hypochlorite to remove all contaminated materials.
• The dentist will then place a crown to cover the tooth.
• Finally, the dentist will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.
As mentioned above, a pulpectomy in primary teeth can be performed as well as in permanent teeth.
What is a pulpotomy?
Pulpotomy dental definition is a procedure that aims to restore and save the tooth infected by a cavity. The dentist may recommend a pulpotomy if the decay mimics the tooth's crown.
A deep cavity should be treated as soon as possible to avoid the spread of inflammation, and the infection can cause a dental abscess. Pulpotomy is when the inflamed pulp chamber is removed but leaves the root of the living tooth intact.
The pulpotomy is performed on teeth that are still alive. This means that the teeth are still sensitive and respond to temperatures. For this procedure, the dentist must ensure that there is no bone loss under the tooth, abscesses in the area, or pain.
After a pulpotomy in primary teeth, the dentist will fill the space with dental cement to restore the tooth. As with pulpectomy, a pulpotomy can be performed on both primary and permanent teeth with caries or trauma that reaches the pulp.
The procedure of a pulpotomy
The steps of a pulpotomy procedure are as follows:
• The dentist will begin to apply local anesthesia to numb the area to be treated. This is a very important step for the comfort of all patients.
• When the area is numb, the dentist will use a high and low-speed handpiece to remove tooth decay and bacteria from the tooth pulp. Some dentists may use a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from the rest of the mouth and reduce moisture from saliva.
• The dentist will drill through the enamel and dentin to open the pulp chamber. When the roof of the pulp is pierced, it will start to bleed, showing that the pulp is still healthy.
• You will be given medicine to stop the bleeding. (If the dentist sees that the pulp chamber is empty and dry or filled with pus, he will stop the pulpotomy and perform a pulpectomy or extract the tooth.)
• Then, the tooth will be filled with restorative materials of your preference or recommended by the specialist.
• Finally, the tooth will be covered with a stainless steel crown.
The dentist will indicate the pulpotomy filling material used to treat your case. The most common materials are Mineral Aggregate Trioxide (MTA), Calcium Hydroxide (CaOH), Formocresol (FC), and Ferric Sulfate (FS).
What to do after a pulpectomy or pulpotomy?
Pulpectomy vs pulpotomy are procedures that treat the tooth's pulp. After a pulpectomy or a pulpotomy, the dentist will indicate the steps you must follow for perfect healing.
They will talk with you about aftercare so you can heal quickly and avoid major problems. If you follow your dentist's instructions, recovery will be quick. In a few days, you will be fine.
In addition, they may prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve any minor discomfort you may feel during recovery.
All you have to do after a pulpectomy vs pulpotomy is to follow the following tips:
• Follow all the instructions given by your dentist for a better recovery.
• Take the pain reliever prescribed by the dentist.
• Avoid chewing on the side where you had your pulpectomy or pulpotomy for a day or two.
• Eat soft foods for a day or two after these procedures. Dentists recommend ice cream, milkshakes, scrambled eggs, gelatin, etc.
Conclusion
As you can see, pulpectomy and pulpotomy are dental treatments that treat the tooth's pulp but have different procedures. It is important to remember that a pulpotomy is performed on a living tooth, while a pulpectomy is performed on teeth that are no longer living.
In a pulpectomy, all the nerves inside the tooth are removed to clean out the infection completely. With a pulpotomy, the dentist can restore and save your tooth. Porcelain veneers and composite veneers are smart ways to improve your smile's appearance. The procedure you will need will depend on your condition, so you must consult with a dentist to help you determine which procedure is right for you.
Only the dentist is the right person who can guide you on pulpectomy vs pulpotomy. Both procedures seek to relieve pain and provide better dental health for patients, and the best thing is that they are completely safe.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the main difference between pulpectomy and pulpotomy?
The main difference between pulpectomy and pulpotomy lies in the extent of pulp removal. The entire pulp tissue, including the pulp in the root canals, is removed in a pulpectomy. This procedure is typically performed in permanent teeth with extensive infection or inflammation. On the other hand, in a pulpotomy, only the pulp tissue in the crown portion of the tooth is removed, leaving the healthy pulp tissue in the root canals intact. Pulpotomy is commonly performed in primary (baby) or permanent teeth with less extensive pulp involvement.
2. How is the choice between pulpectomy and pulpotomy made?
The choice between pulpectomy and pulpotomy is based on several factors, including the extent of pulp involvement, the severity of infection or inflammation, the patient's age, and the tooth's overall health. Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination, which may include X-rays, and assess the condition of the tooth to determine the most appropriate treatment option. In some cases, a pulpotomy may be performed initially, and if the infection or inflammation persists, a pulpectomy may be required.
3. Are pulpectomy and pulpotomy a painful procedures?
Both pulpectomy and pulpotomy procedures are performed under local anesthesia, ensuring you do not feel pain during the treatment. After the procedure, you may experience some post-operative sensitivity or discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as your dentist recommends. It's important to follow the post-operative instructions provided by your dental professional to promote healing and minimize any potential discomfort.
4. What is the main difference between pulpectomy and pulpotomy?
The main difference between pulpectomy and pulpotomy lies in the extent of pulp removal. The entire pulp tissue, including the pulp in the root canals, is removed in a pulpectomy. This procedure is typically performed in permanent teeth with extensive infection or inflammation. On the other hand, in a pulpotomy, only the pulp tissue in the crown portion of the tooth is removed, leaving the healthy pulp tissue in the root canals intact. Pulpotomy is commonly performed in primary (baby) or permanent teeth with less extensive pulp involvement.