A pulpotomy is a partial nerve treatment done on a primary, also known as baby, tooth when decay or bacteria has infected the nerve of your child’s tooth. A pulpotomy is done to remove the decay and prevent further bacteria from infecting the entire nerve of the tooth.

Baby teeth respond well to the removal of a diseased part of the dental pulp (nerve) while leaving the healthy portion intact.  The cavity is removed from the tooth in addition to the portion of the pulp that has been infected by the bacteria of the cavity.  A disinfectant is placed on top of the remaining pulp, the tooth is sealed and a crown (silver cap) is placed over the tooth.  This allows the tooth to stay vital (alive) in the mouth.