WEBVTT

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If tooth decay or injury

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reaches past the outer

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enamel of the tooth

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and into the innermost

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part of the tooth, called the pulp,

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severe tooth

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pain and sensitivity can occur.

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When this damage is left untreated,

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the tooth is likely to abscess

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and eventually require extraction.

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While it may seem that the primary teeth

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or baby teeth

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are not as important

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to maintain as the permanent teeth,

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it is essential to keep the primary teeth

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healthy until they are ready

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to be replaced by the permanent teeth.

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Primary teeth play

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an important role in preserving

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space for the permanent teeth,

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and healthy primary teeth

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also enable your child

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to eat and speak properly.

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to avoid the need

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for premature

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tooth extraction due

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to severe infection or decay,

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your child's dentist may recommend

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endodontic treatment.

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One endodontic treatment

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that is commonly used for primary

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teeth is called pulpotomy.

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During pulpotomy,

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the dentist will remove the decay

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and the pulp chamber. First,

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the dentist will numb

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the tooth

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and surrounding area to ensure

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that your child remains comfortable

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throughout the procedure.

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Your child's dentist will

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then carefully open the tooth

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and remove the decay

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and the diseased pulp tissue

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within the crown portion of the tooth.

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The area is sterilized,

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but unlike a regular root

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canal treatment,

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the tooth nerves are not removed

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or treated. In some cases,

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not all of the dental pulp

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is removed,

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maintaining the vitality

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of the remaining healthy pulp.

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For these situations,

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the dentist often uses

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a therapeutic dressing

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to maintain the healthy pulp.

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After the decayed pulp is removed

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and the tooth is cleaned.

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The dentist will place a restoration

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like a crown on the tooth to protect it.

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Stainless steel crowns are often

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used for

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primary teeth, and tooth colored

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crowns are available as well.

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Your child's dentist

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will help you determine

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which choice is best

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for your child's tooth.

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While pulpotomy is rarely recommended

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for permanent teeth,

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this treatment may be suggested

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if decay has reached the pulp,

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yet much of the pulp is still healthy.

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If the roots of the tooth

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have not finished forming,

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a partial pulpotomy

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can give the tooth a chance

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to finish forming.

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For more information about pulpotomy,

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please contact your child's dentist.