7449 East Osborn Road #4 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
What is Vital Pulp Therapy
The goal of vital pulp therapy (also called pulpotomy) is to save healthy dental pulp in the root of a tooth that has decay in the crown. In this procedure, Dr. Brittain removes diseased pulp from the crown of the tooth and fills the crown with medicated material to preserve the healthy pulp tissue in the roots. Vital pulp therapy is only recommended when there is no swelling or abscess around the tooth and it is not loose. It may also be recommended for an injured baby tooth to save it from early extraction.
Why Not Place an Implant Instead of Trying to Save My Tooth
It is always better (and less costly) to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. Implants are expensive and require a long recovery period, but pulpotomies and root canal treatment allow you to keep your tooth. A pulpotomy is preferable to a full root canal when the pulp in the root is healthy, because the procedure is less invasive.
Beyond cost and recovery time, your natural tooth will always outperform any replacement in terms of function and feel. Natural teeth have a ligament connecting them to the jawbone that acts as a shock absorber and provides sensory feedback when you chew, something no implant can fully replicate. Preserving that tooth through vital pulp therapy, when the conditions are right, is almost always the most conservative and beneficial long-term choice for your oral health.
What Can You Expect During a Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is typically completed in a single appointment. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish:
- Anesthesia — The area around the affected tooth is numbed so that you remain comfortable throughout the procedure
- Removal of Diseased Pulp — Dr. Brittain carefully removes the infected or damaged pulp tissue from the crown of the tooth, leaving the healthy pulp in the root canals completely intact
- Medicated Filling — A biocompatible medicated material is placed over the remaining pulp to protect it, encourage healing, and prevent further bacterial contamination
- Sealing the Tooth — The crown of the tooth is then sealed with a filling or, in many cases, a crown to restore its full strength and function
- Recovery — Most patients experience little to no discomfort following a pulpotomy and are able to return to their normal routine the same day
How Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale Can Help
If you are experiencing tooth pain or have damaged a tooth in an accident, contact Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale right away. Dr. Brittain will examine the tooth and determine what type of treatment will be the best option. Call us at 480-719-6994 or send us an email.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vital pulp therapy or a pulpotomy?
Vital pulp therapy, including a pulpotomy, is a dental procedure that treats infected tooth pulp while preserving the healthy portion to maintain tooth vitality.When is a pulpotomy needed?
A pulpotomy is commonly recommended for children with deep cavities or tooth infections that have reached the pulp but have not affected the entire root.Is a pulpotomy the same as a root canal?
No, a pulpotomy removes only the infected part of the pulp in the crown, while a root canal removes all pulp tissue from the entire tooth.Is vital pulp therapy painful?
The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, making it comfortable with minimal discomfort during and after treatment.How long does a pulpotomy last?
With proper care, a treated tooth can remain healthy until it naturally falls out (for baby teeth) or lasts for many years in permanent teeth.