pulpotomy

A pediatric pulpotomy is a dental procedure that is used to treat a infected or inflamed pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels) in a primary (baby) tooth. The procedure involves removing the infected or inflamed pulp from the crown of the tooth, then filling and sealing the remaining pulp chamber and root canals with a medicated material. This helps to eliminate the pain, prevent further infection and preserve the remaining tooth structure for as long as possible until the tooth is naturally shed. Pulpotomy is also known as "baby root canal".

It's a common procedure for children and is performed under local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. After the procedure, a stainless steel crown is typically placed over the tooth to protect and restore it, and to allow the child to bite and chew normally. It's important to note that, unlike adult teeth, primary teeth are not meant to last a lifetime and will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth. The goal of a pulpotomy is to save the affected tooth until it falls out naturally, so that the child's other teeth and bite can develop normally.