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A pulpotomy is the removal of a portion of the pulp, including the diseased aspect, with the intent of maintaining the vitality of the remaining pulpal tissue by means of a therapeutic dressing. A healthy tooth has a space inside it called the "pulp space" which is filled with soft tissues - nerves, blood vessels, and pink connective tissue. If a tooth gets a large cavity, the bacteria in the decay can damage the pulp, which is often what causes toothache.
Contents
- Primary teeth
- Partial Pulpotomy for Carious Exposures
- Partial Pulpotomy for Traumatic Exposures
- Medicaments
- Electro surgery pulpotomy
- Laser pulpotomy
- Objectives
- References
Damage to the pulp of permanent teeth usually requires a Root Canal Treatment or Endodontic Therapy. The pulp of primary or deciduous teeth, which only have to survive until an adult teeth come in, and because they have a better blood supply, can sometimes be saved.
Primary teeth
Primary (Baby) teeth in children have relatively large pulp spaces and a cavity does not have to get very large before it reaches the pulp chamber.
When the soft tissue in the pulp chamber is infected (has bacteria in it) or affected (is inflamed), it can be removed by a dentist under local anaesthetic. If the soft tissue in the canals is still healthy enough, a special medicated filling can be put into the chamber in an attempt to keep the remaining pulp (in the canals) alive. The process of removing the pulp from the chamber is the actual "pulpotomy", though the word is often used for the entire process including placement of the medication.
Afterwards the tooth is restored with a regular filling or a stainless steel crown.
A pulpotomy can be done to both permanent and primary teeth.
Partial Pulpotomy for Carious Exposures
In some cases, radicular pulp (pulp within the root of a tooth) may remain healthy despite carious exposure of the pulp chamber. In cases where root formation is incomplete (as during adolescent years), a partial pulpotomy may keep radicular pulp vital long enough to allow the roots to develop fully.
Partial Pulpotomy for Traumatic Exposures
A partial pulpotomy for traumatic exposures is also called a Cvek Pulpotomy. When a baby tooth or young permanent tooth is traumatised - say, hitting your teeth on the handlebars of a bike - it can be broken in such a way that the pulp is exposed. Again, a partial pulpotomy may help it to finish developing and be saved.
Medicaments
In primary teeth medicaments such as formocresol, Mineral trioxide aggregate, Zinc oxide eugenol and Calcium hydroxide can be used in pulpotomy. Formocresol use has been questioned due to toxicity concerns.
Ferric sulphate, sodium hypochlorite or a local anaesthetic solution containing a vasoconstrictor agent can be used to arrest any bleeding from the pulp prior to the placement of medicament.
Electro-surgery pulpotomy
Also known as non-chemical devitalization. Its mechanism of action is the cauterization of the pulp tissue. It carburizes heat-denaturated pulp and bacterial contamination.
Laser pulpotomy
This technique overcomes histological effects of electro-surgery. It creates a superficial zone of coagulation or necrosis that remains compatible with the underlying tissue and isolates the pulp from vigorous effects of the sub-base.
Objectives
- Maintenance of radicular portion vitality.
- Post-op clinical and radiographic evaluation should show no complications such as pain, swelling, sinus presence internal resorption or abnormal canal calcification. Additionally, the formation of a radiolucency subjacent to the furcation in primary teeth can indicate failure.
- Neither breakdown of the supporting tissue, nor trauma to succedaneous teeth should be detected.