Pediatric Pulp Therapy in Springfield, MO
When decay reaches the inside of a baby tooth, the old answer was usually “pull it.” We have better answers now. Pulp therapy keeps the tooth working until it’s supposed to fall out on its own.
When decay reaches the inside of a baby tooth, the old answer was usually “pull it.” We have better answers now. Pulp therapy keeps the tooth working until it’s supposed to fall out on its own.
Baby teeth aren’t just placeholders. They guide the adult teeth into position, hold space, and shape how a kid eats and speaks. Losing one early can throw off the whole sequence: crowding, crooked adult teeth, longer ortho treatment later.
If we can save the tooth, we usually should.
Two AAPD-recognized approaches for primary teeth, and the difference matters.
Dr. Heather will tell you which one fits, and why.
Most teeth that need pulp therapy also need a crown afterward to protect what’s left. We do both in one visit when we can. You’ll have a choice between a stainless steel crown (durable, lower cost) and a zirconia crown (tooth-colored, more aesthetic). For front teeth, most families pick zirconia.
Behavior management first. Nitrous oxide if your kid is anxious. Outpatient general anesthesia for very young kids or large cases. We won’t push sedation as a default. We’ll suggest it when it would actually help.
If your child has multiple primary teeth that need attention and we want to avoid more invasive treatment, LSTR (a triple antibiotic approach) is sometimes a good alternative. We’ll walk you through that choice if it applies.
A confident smile can make a big difference in your child's life. We're here to help every young patient achieve a healthy smile they can be proud to share.