Gentle care for saving little teeth and soothing big worries.
When a child’s baby tooth becomes infected or badly decayed but still has healthy roots, a pulpotomy can help save it. Sometimes referred to as a “baby root canal,” this quick and conservative treatment removes only the infected portion of the tooth’s pulp—preserving the rest of the tooth’s natural structure.
At Little Bee’s Pediatric Dentistry, we perform pulpotomies with a gentle touch and calming environment so your child can feel relaxed and cared for every step of the way. Saving baby teeth is important for speech, chewing, and guiding adult teeth into place, and we’re here to make that process as stress-free as possible for both kids and parents.
Benefits of Pulpotomy
Keeps Your Child’s Smile Intact
By preserving the baby tooth, we help maintain natural spacing, jaw development, and function—keeping things aligned until the adult tooth is ready to come in.
Quick, Comfortable Treatment
Pulpotomies are typically done in one visit and take only a few minutes. With our playful environment and calming techniques, most kids don’t even realize they’ve had dental work done!
Prevents Bigger Problems Later
Removing the infected pulp stops pain, swelling, and the risk of further infection, helping your child avoid more complex procedures in the future.
What we offer
What We Offer
A Bee-Friendly Approach to Restorative Care
We use child-friendly language, fun distractions, and gentle techniques to turn “scary” dental work into something completely manageable, even for our youngest or most nervous patients.
Parents Are Always in the Loop
We explain every step in simple terms and welcome parents into the treatment space, so you always feel informed, empowered, and part of your child’s care team.
Expertise That Inspires Confidence
Our pediatric dentists are not only clinically trained in pulpotomies and restorative care—they’re also experts at reading the room, adjusting to each child’s needs, and making everyone feel safe.
The Pulpotomy Process
Here's what you can expect.
Diagnosis & Discussion
We’ll use digital imaging and a gentle exam to determine whether a pulpotomy is the right treatment. You’ll be included in the conversation every step of the way.
Gentle Treatment in One Visit
Once the area is numbed or your child is comfortable with sedation (if needed), we’ll remove the infected pulp, clean the area, and place a medicated filling—all in one short visit.
A Custom Crown to Seal the Smile
After the pulpotomy, we’ll place a pediatric crown. We offer white crowns (zirconia) depending on your child’s needs to protect the tooth and restore full function.
Healing & Aftercare Support
We’ll walk you through at-home care instructions and follow up to ensure healing is going smoothly. Most kids are back to normal by the end of the day!
FAQs
Is a pulpotomy painful for kids?
Not at Little Bee’s! We use gentle numbing techniques or sedation options if needed. Most children feel little to no discomfort during or after treatment.
Why not just pull the tooth instead?
Baby teeth guide permanent teeth into place and help with speaking and eating. Saving them, when possible, is usually the best choice for long-term oral health.
How do I know if my child needs a pulpotomy?
Common signs include sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling, or pain around a baby tooth. But sometimes, there are no symptoms—so regular checkups help catch issues early.