Pulp Therapy vs. Tooth Extraction: Which Option is Best for My Child’s Toothache?

Unexpected toothaches can be alarming, especially for children! While these are often a result of dental damage or a cavity that has provided harmful oral bacteria with an access point to the inner cavity of their tooth, the good news is that this concern is treatable. In fact, pediatric dentists offer pulp therapy to not only preserve your child’s natural tooth, but also erase their pain.

You may be thinking, though, “Why wouldn’t they just opt for a tooth extraction since the infection is affecting a primary tooth?” Read on to learn the answer to this question and why pulp therapy is likely the better option than removing the tooth completely.  

What is Pulp Therapy?

Pulp therapy is similar to an adult root canal, but instead of removing the entire collection of nerves and soft tissue within a tooth, the pediatric dentist only removes the infected portion.

The first part of this procedure is to create a small window in your child’s affected tooth to reach the pulp after numbing the area that’s being treated. Once the infected pulp has been removed and the chamber has been sanitized, the pediatric dentist will refill the tooth with a substance called gutta percha. This will seal off the cavity in addition to a customized dental crown that will be placed over the top of the treated tooth.

Why is It Important to Preserve Primary Teeth?

Even though your child’s primary tooth is destined to fall out of their mouth anyways, preservation is still important, as losing a tooth prematurely could lead to future dental concerns. For example, when a tooth falls out too soon, it could cause your child’s surrounding teeth to shift and fill the gap, leading to their permanent teeth erupting crooked, crowded, and misaligned. This could not only increase their chances of needing orthodontic treatment in the future, but also heighten their risk of developing cavities.

What Cases Warrant a Children’s Tooth Extraction?

Sometimes, when dental damage or infection has progressed past the point of being able to get treated with pulp therapy, an extraction may be necessary. While pediatric dentists typically try to avoid this when possible, extraction could help keep the issue from spreading to surrounding teeth and causing additional concerns.

If your child’s pediatric dentist removes a tooth, they may opt to secure a space maintainer in the area to ensure their teeth remain in their proper alignment.

As a parent, hearing that your child needs any type of dental procedure can be nerve wracking. With helpful guidance and education from your knowledgeable pediatric dentist, however, you can move forward with the treatment that you feel is the best choice for your favorite smile.

About the Author

Dr. Allen Pearson opened Wylie Children’s Dentistry in 2003 and has been providing top-tier, trusted children’s dental care to families in Wylie ever since. He is a board-certified pediatric dentist with a commitment to working alongside highly capable professionals and offering comfortable, fun, and educational care to children of all ages. He also offers same-day and weekend emergency appointments as well as a 24-hour answering service to make sure children get fast and effective treatment when the unexpected strikes. To schedule an appointment, visit Wylie Children’s Dentistry’s website or call 972-429-7070.