Our Treatments
At Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos, we focus on prevention to maintain long-term healthy smiles. However, there are times when a tooth becomes damaged to the point that a nerve treatment or a baby root canal is necessary to relieve your child's pain and save the affected tooth. Dr. Nadia Bala and Dr. Greg Allen are committed to ensuring your child is comfortable and relaxed throughout any treatment!
The Importance of Baby Teeth
Parents often wonder why their child would need a nerve treatment. After all, the baby teeth will fall out anyway, so why go through all that trouble? Baby teeth serve many important purposes, including helping with speaking and chewing and saving the space the permanent teeth need to erupt properly. That's why Dr. Nadia Bala and Dr. Greg Allen work hard to save baby teeth and opt for nerve treatments, otherwise known as a pulpotomy, to prevent your child’s tooth from needing to be pulled out.
Why Would a Tooth Need a Pulpotomy?
The teeth are made up of layers, including the enamel, dentin, and inner pulp. The enamel is the strong outer coating that protects the teeth. Beneath the enamel is the dentin, another hard layer that contains tiny tubes called tubules. If tooth decay or trauma damages the protective enamel layer, the tubules can come into contact with hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, causing tooth sensitivity and discomfort. Under the dentin is the soft tooth pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The pulp extends through the root, from passageways branching off from the pulp chambers called root canals.
Deep decay or trauma can cause tooth pulp inflammation and infection, which, if not treated, can cause complications, including an abscess. If your child has a deep cavity approaching a nerve branch, we typically recommend a pulpotomy to prevent further damage and infection. Symptoms of extensive tooth pulp damage include throbbing pain, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, pain when eating or putting pressure on the tooth, a small bump on the gums that looks like a pimple, or even a swollen face or jaw. The only definitive way to save an infected or abscessed tooth is to have it pulled out. A pulpotomy can help prevent this.
What Happens During Treatment?
Even though a pulpotomy, commonly called a nerve treatment, may sound intimidating, modern technology, techniques, and local anesthetics help ensure the treatment is no more painful than having a cavity filled. With our experienced doctors, the procedure usually takes no more than a minute or two. If your child is overly anxious, we may recommend dental sedation to help create a relaxed state during treatment.
The pulpotomy procedure is typically recommended if the infection or damage has not reached the tooth's root. It involves cleaning out the affected pulp and filling the space with a medication that helps protect the remaining healthy pulp and soothes the roots. The tooth will need a dental crown for protection after treatment.
Pulp/Nerve Treatment Near Me in San Marcos, California
If your child has a damaged or painful tooth, contact Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos to schedule an appointment. Dr. Nadia Bala or Dr. Greg Allen will recommend the most conservative treatment to restore your child’s healthy smile. If your little one needs a nerve treatment, our compassionate team will do everything possible to ensure your child is comfortable and free of stress.
Looking for exceptional care from the best pediatric dentists in San Marcos? We invite you to call 760-798-2825 to schedule your child's appointment or complete our online appointment request form today!
We're Ready For Your Ducklings!
We are excited to care for little ones and be part of their journey to bright and healthy smiles. Follow the link to request an appointment that best fits your busy schedule. We can’t wait to meet you!
