Post-Operative Pulpotomy/ Pulpectomy

We want all of our patients who have had a pulpotomy or pulpectomy to have the proper information on how to care for their tooth after treatment:

• With few exceptions, all teeth that have had a pulpotomy will have a stainless -steel crown or be scheduled to have one in the near future to prevent breakdown of the tooth.
• Baby teeth with pulpotomies will be lost in the same way that other baby teeth are lost when the permanent tooth replacing them dissolves the root enough for them to be lost. There are no special concerns if the baby tooth with a pulpotomy is lost due to the eruption of a permanent tooth.

In order to give your child’s tooth with the pulpotomy the longest possible life span, please have your child avoid the following foods: ice or ice cubes, hard candies, taffy, caramels, and jaw breakers.

Local Anesthesia

Your child has had a local anesthetic for their dental procedure.

• If the procedure was in the upper jaw- the teeth, lip, and surrounding tissue may be numb or “asleep”.
• If the procedure was in the lower jaw- the tongue, teeth, lip, and surrounding tissue may be numb or “asleep”.
• Often children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia and will scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations, or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue.
• PLEASE MONITOR YOUR CHILD CLOSELY UNTIL THE NUMBNESS WEARS OFF (approximately 2-3 hours following the appointment)
• You can leave the gauze in the mouth if they keep trying to bite their tissue or lip.
• It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.
• If your child does bite their lip, cheek or tongue by accident, the area will usually swell and ulcerate but should heal completely within 7-10 days.
• If there are questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call the office at Lansdale Office Phone Number 215-855-4092

Pain Management

It is normal for your child to experience some degree of discomfort for a few days. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm.

• Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil),  or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.
• Warm saltwater rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) may also help. Should your child experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above medications, or should swelling develop, please contact our office. We are here to help, and happy to do so.

Please call our office Lansdale Office Phone Number 215-855-4092 if your child is having any difficulties. If it is after hours, follow the prompts to be connected to our answering service. If you feel that your symptoms warrant a physician, and you are unable to reach the treating dentist, please bring your child to the closest hospital emergency room immediately.