Services
Pulpotomy
Overview
If your child has a deep cavity or dental injury, a pulpotomy may help preserve the affected baby tooth and relieve discomfort. At Northside Pediatric Dentistry in Ann Arbor, MI, Dr. Minjoo Sanker and our team explain why treatment may be recommended, what happens during the procedure, and how we help children stay comfortable throughout their visit.
A pulpotomy is a pediatric dental treatment that removes affected pulp tissue from the crown of a primary tooth while preserving healthy tissue in the roots when appropriate. The goal is to keep the tooth functional until it is ready to fall out naturally.
What Is a Pulpotomy?
Inside every tooth is soft tissue called dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay or an injury reaches the pulp of a baby tooth, treatment may be needed to prevent the condition from worsening.
During a pulpotomy, the affected pulp inside the crown of the tooth is removed while healthy tissue in the roots is preserved when possible. The tooth is then restored to protect it and help it continue functioning.
Keeping a primary tooth in place can support comfortable chewing and help maintain space for the permanent tooth developing underneath it.
When Does a Child Need a Pulpotomy?
Not every deep cavity requires a pulpotomy. Dr. Minjoo Sanker evaluates the tooth, your child’s symptoms, and digital X-rays when needed to determine the appropriate treatment.
A pulpotomy may be considered for:
- A deep cavity that reaches or closely affects the dental pulp
- A baby tooth with pulp exposure after an injury
- A primary tooth that can still be preserved until it naturally falls out
If the infection or inflammation extends into the root tissue or surrounding area, another treatment may be more appropriate. We explain the available options in clear language so you can understand the recommended next steps.
How Does a Pulpotomy Work?
We use child-friendly explanations and careful numbing to help make treatment as comfortable and predictable as possible.
A typical pulpotomy may include:
- Removing decay from the tooth
- Removing the affected pulp tissue from the crown of the tooth
- Placing a protective or medicated material over the remaining tissue
- Restoring the tooth with a filling or stainless steel crown, depending on the tooth’s needs
Treatment is often completed in one visit. We may use digital X-rays during diagnosis or follow-up to evaluate the tooth and surrounding structures.
Does a Pulpotomy Hurt?
The treatment area is numbed before the procedure to reduce discomfort. Our team also uses calm explanations and age-appropriate distraction techniques to help children feel more at ease.
Some children may experience mild tenderness after treatment. We provide aftercare instructions based on your child’s procedure and let you know what symptoms to monitor at home.
Is a Pulpotomy the Same as a Root Canal?
A pulpotomy and a root canal both involve the dental pulp, but they are not the same procedure.
A pulpotomy removes affected pulp tissue from the crown of the tooth while leaving healthy root tissue in place when appropriate. A root canal involves removing pulp tissue from the root canals as well.
For children with primary teeth, the recommended treatment depends on how far the pulp has been affected and whether the tooth can be safely preserved.
Why Treat a Baby Tooth?
Baby teeth eventually fall out, but they still play an important role in your child’s oral development.
Preserving a primary tooth when appropriate can help:
- Maintain normal chewing function
- Hold space for the developing permanent tooth
- Reduce the risk of worsening dental problems
- Avoid premature tooth loss when the tooth can still be restored
Treating the tooth early may also help prevent your child from needing more extensive dental care later.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most children return to their normal routine quickly after a pulpotomy. Aftercare instructions may vary depending on the tooth and the type of restoration placed.
We will explain:
- When your child can eat normally again
- How to brush around the treated tooth
- When to return for follow-up care
- Which symptoms should prompt a call to our office
Contact Northside Pediatric Dentistry if your child develops worsening pain, significant swelling, fever, or other symptoms that concern you.
Pediatric Pulpotomy Care in Ann Arbor, MI
At Northside Pediatric Dentistry, we focus on making dental care understandable and comfortable for both children and parents. Dr. Minjoo Sanker guides treatment decisions based on your child’s individual needs, while our team uses clear communication and comforting techniques throughout the visit.
We also use digital X-rays when appropriate to help evaluate teeth efficiently and support accurate diagnosis and follow-up care.
Schedule a Pulpotomy Evaluation in Ann Arbor
If your child has dental pain, a deep cavity, or an injured baby tooth, schedule an evaluation with Northside Pediatric Dentistry in Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Minjoo Sanker can examine the tooth, explain whether a pulpotomy or another treatment is appropriate, and help you understand the next steps.
Call Northside Pediatric Dentistry today to schedule your child’s visit.
Related Services
Questions?
We Are Happy to Help
Call our New Patients at (734) 627-6038, and our team will help you choose the next right step.
What Ann Arbor Families Are Saying
Real families, real visits — a few notes from our neighbors.
“Dr. Minjoo Sanker was great! Took my highly anxious child and relaxed her and made her visit super easy and successful!”
“Great experience! Dr. Minjoo was amazing — so fast but thorough with our little one!”
“Dr. Minjoo is awesome! She is so good with my six-year-old, and doesn’t get frazzled with his anxiety and tears.”
“Dr. Minjoo did an excellent job on a tooth extraction for our very nervous eleven-year-old. Our daughter was really surprised how quickly and easily it went.”
“My son is a very anxious kid when it comes to doctors and dentists. Dr. Minjoo was so soothing and gentle, and took her time explaining everything to him.”
“I wanted to thank Dr. Minjoo Sanker — she was so professional, kind, and patient with my daughter getting crowns put in her teeth! She was wonderful making sure to walk her through the process.”
“We absolutely love the experience and their care. Dr. Minjoo goes above and beyond. We also love all staff. They are very nice, caring, and very professional.”
“Dr. Minjoo Sanker was awesome. I appreciate her for getting me in fast. My son got the care he needed same day!”
“Dr. Minjoo is the best! So skilled and so sweet and keeps the kids distracted and comfortable!”
“My daughter was happy and I was happy too as a mother. Dr. Minjoo and her assistant treat my daughter like their own child very warm.”
“Very sweet staff and a wonderful experience. Very convenient, love the location, plenty of parking and just an overall wonderful experience for my daughters first dental visit.”
“I can't believe how patient and sweet she is. I felt so bad with how terrible my daughter was acting but she really is a rockstar. Unbelievable how kind and nurturing she is.”
“My 10 year old son has anxiety when going to the dentist and the staff was very patient and caring. Dr. Minjoo took the time to answer my questions and set up a treatment plan that was best for my son.”
“Would highly recommend. Dr. Minjoo is great with children and the staff is top notch. They all took great care of my daughter.”
“Both ladies were so sweet and greeted us so warmly. The hygienist and Dr. Minjoo was loving and patient and explained everything so clearly.”
“To say they were wonderful is an understatement! Dr. Minjoo walked my son through every single detail of what she was doing in terms he could understand and checked in with him repeatedly.”
“If I could give a million stars I would! Everyone was amazing. They explained everything to my son, showed him what they were going to do and what each instrument was.”
“The team here is outstanding. They were all so kind, patient, and guided us through the whole produced. Dr. Minjoo would pause and take a break when she knew it was getting overwhelming for my son.”
“Dr. Minjoo was so sweet and patient with my child. My daughter was so nervous but she was able to calm her down. I am truly grateful for the Dentist and her assistants.”
“Dr. Minjoo walked into the room with a very calm demeanor which immediately put my kid at ease. She went over and beyond making sure he knew what was happening and explained every step of the way.”