Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT), specifically pulpotomy, is a dental procedure aimed at preserving the vitality of a tooth’s pulp, especially when the pulp is affected by decay or trauma but remains partially healthy. Pulpotomies are commonly performed on children with primary (baby) teeth, but they can also be done on permanent teeth in some cases.
Procedure Overview:
- Diagnosis: A pulpotomy is typically recommended if the tooth’s pulp is exposed but the inflammation or infection has not spread to the roots. The dentist conducts an examination, sometimes using X-rays, to assess the condition of the tooth.
- Local Anesthesia: The area around the affected tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
- Removal of Affected Pulp: The dentist removes the coronal (top) portion of the pulp, leaving the healthy pulp in the root canals intact.
- Disinfection: The remaining pulp is disinfected to eliminate any bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.
- Medication: A medicated dressing, often containing materials like calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), is placed over the remaining pulp to promote healing and prevent further infection.
- Restoration: After treating the pulp, the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown to protect it from future damage and allow it to function normally.
Indications for Pulpotomy
- Deep decay or cavities that affect the pulp but don’t extend to the roots.
- Trauma or fractures that expose the pulp.
- Primary teeth with damaged pulp where extraction is not preferred.
Benefits of Pulpotomy
- Preserves the natural tooth, allowing it to remain functional.
- Prevents the need for extraction or more extensive treatments, like root canal therapy, especially in young patients.
- Maintains the tooth structure and spacing, which is important for children’s teeth to guide the eruption of permanent teeth.
