Medically Reviewed by Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team on August 15, 2026
A toothache in a child can turn an ordinary evening into a stressful one, especially when a cavity in a baby tooth has grown deep enough to reach the nerve. Parents often worry that a “baby root canal” means their child is in for a long, painful ordeal, but the reality is far less intimidating than it sounds.
At Esteem Dental in Lake Nona, our pediatric dentistry team, led by Dr. Matthew McLeod, treats infected baby teeth every week using a procedure called a pulpotomy. Understanding what this treatment involves can help ease your mind before your child’s next visit.
What Is a Pediatric Pulpotomy?
A pulpotomy removes the infected portion of the pulp, the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels, from the crown of a baby tooth while leaving the healthy pulp in the roots untouched. A medicated dressing is then placed over the remaining pulp to prevent further infection, and the tooth is protected with a filling or a crown.
This approach preserves as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. According to a 2024 clinical guideline published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pulpotomy using calcium silicate cement is associated with high treatment success when a baby tooth’s pulp is inflamed but still healthy enough to save. Keeping the tooth vital matters because baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth and guide healthy jaw development as your child grows.
How Is a Pulpotomy Different From a Root Canal?
Parents often hear the term “baby root canal” and picture the same lengthy procedure adults undergo, but a pulpotomy and a true root canal, known as a pulpectomy, are not the same thing. A root canal removes all of the pulp, including the tissue in the roots, and replaces it with a filling material. A pulpotomy only removes the infected pulp in the crown and leaves the healthy root pulp in place.
This distinction matters because baby teeth are not meant to last a lifetime. Preserving the vital pulp in the roots supports the tooth until it naturally falls out, making way for the permanent tooth underneath. A pulpotomy is also typically a shorter, more conservative procedure than a full pulpectomy, which is one reason our team may recommend it whenever the infection has not spread past the crown.
What Happens During a Pediatric Pulpotomy?
Every pulpotomy starts with an exam and an X-ray so our team can confirm how far the decay has progressed and whether the tooth is a good candidate for the procedure. Your child’s mouth will be numbed with local anesthetic before any work begins, and for kids who feel anxious about dental visits, our sedation dentistry options can help them stay calm and comfortable throughout.
Once your child is comfortable, the process generally follows a few key steps.
- Access: The dentist opens the tooth to reach the pulp chamber
- Removal: Infected pulp tissue is carefully removed from the crown only
- Medication: A protective medicated material is placed over the remaining healthy pulp
- Restoration: A filling or crown seals and protects the tooth going forward
Most children tolerate the procedure well and report feeling little more than pressure, since the area is fully numbed beforehand. Afterward, mild soreness for a day or two is normal, and it typically resolves faster than the discomfort caused by the original infection.
Left untreated, a cavity that reaches the pulp can lead to a painful abscess or early tooth loss, which is why catching the problem early makes a real difference for your child’s comfort and long-term oral development. If your child has been complaining of tooth pain or you have noticed swelling near a tooth, it is worth having them examined at our Lake Nona office as soon as possible. Waiting rarely makes these situations easier to treat.
Schedule a Pediatric Pulpotomy Consultation at Esteem Dental
A pulpotomy is one of the more common ways our team helps children get relief from a painful cavity while protecting the natural tooth until it is ready to fall out on its own. As a multi-specialty, family-focused practice, Esteem Dental combines pediatric dentistry with general dentistry and orthodontics under one roof in Lake Nona, so the whole family can be seen in a single, familiar location.
Dr. McLeod brings a gentle, kid-friendly approach to every visit, and our team accepts most major insurance plans along with CareCredit and LendingClub financing to help make treatment manageable for your family. If your child needs a pulpotomy or you simply want a professional opinion on a sore tooth, reach out through our contact form to schedule an appointment today.
Dr. Jordan Jones, DDS
Dr. Jordan Jones leads the experienced team at Esteem Dental, providing comprehensive family dental care to the Winter Garden and Lake Nona communities. With a focus on general dentistry, pediatric care, and orthodontics, Dr. Jones combines advanced techniques with a compassionate approach to ensure every patient receives personalized, quality treatment in a comfortable environment.
✓ Medically Reviewed
