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Pulp Therapy in Bothell, WA
At Hello Kids Dentistry, preserving your child’s natural teeth, even baby teeth, is a key part of supporting healthy oral development. When the soft inner tissue of a tooth (called the dental pulp) becomes infected or inflamed due to decay or injury, pulp therapy can help save the tooth and prevent future complications. Our gentle, kid-centered approach makes this important treatment as smooth and comfortable as possible for your little one.
What Is Pulp Therapy?
​Pulp therapy is a common pediatric treatment used to save baby teeth that have been affected by deep decay or injury. By treating the inside of the tooth, Dr. Dhali and our team can relieve pain, stop infection, and help protect your child’s developing smile.
When is pulp therapy needed?
When a tooth is deeply decayed or has been injured, the soft inner tissue, called the dental pulp, can become inflamed or infected. If left untreated, this can lead to pain, swelling, or even early tooth loss.
Saving a baby tooth is important because these teeth help guide permanent teeth into place and support your child’s ability to chew, speak, and grow properly. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), maintaining baby teeth until they’re ready to fall out naturally is often the healthiest choice for your child.
What happens during pulp therapy?
At Hello Kids Dentistry, we use a gentle, child-friendly approach to ensure your little one stays comfortable throughout treatment. Depending on your child’s needs, Dr. Dhali may recommend one of the following:
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Pulpotomy – Removes the infected portion of pulp in the crown (top part) of the tooth while leaving the healthy pulp in the roots intact. A protective medicated filling is placed, followed by a crown.
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Pulpectomy – In cases where infection has spread to the roots, all of the pulp is removed. The canals are then cleaned, sealed, and the tooth is restored with a crown.
Supporting healing at home
After pulp therapy, your child’s tooth may feel a little tender for a day or two. We’ll provide easy-to-follow instructions for home care, including:
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Soft foods for the first 24 hours
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Proper brushing around the treated area
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Signs to watch for, like lingering pain or swelling
Our team is always here to answer questions and make sure your child is healing comfortably.
To make high-quality care accessible, Hello Kids Dentistry accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including: Aetna PPO, Anthem, Cigna PPO/HMO, Delta Dental, GEHA, Guardian, Humana, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Premera, Principal, Regence, United Concordia, United Healthcare, and Apple Health/Molina/ProviderOne. ​