In primary teeth, when deep cavities have reached the nerve, or are close to the nerve, it's sometimes necessary to perform a pulpotomy.
A pulpotomy is the removal of the irritated part of the nerve, also called the pulp, while leaving the healthy root canals intact. This procedure is relatively quick and painless, and it's extremely effective in eliminating infection in the nerve and saving your child's tooth. The tooth is then restored and able to function again.
By doing a pulpotomy we can maintain the tooth in its position until the time arrives for exfoliation. It is extremely important to preserve the primary teeth to avoid loss of space, which could complicate the eruption of the permanent teeth.
If the tooth could not be saved by means of this procedure an extraction will be the only option. A space maintainer will need to be constructed afterwards to preserve the space of the missing tooth.