Pulpotomy in Bellevue, WA

What Is a Pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy is a common and effective dental procedure for children, often referred to as a baby root canal. It’s used when the pulp the soft tissue inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay or trauma. Rather than removing the entire tooth, a pulpotomy removes only the infected portion of the pulp, preserving the healthy root and structure.

At The Art of Pediatric Dentistry in Bellevue, WA, Dr. Yu Ong, a board-certified pediatric dentist, specializes in pediatric pulpotomies that help restore your child’s oral health, protect their developing smile, and prevent the need for early tooth extraction.

Does My Child Need a Pulpotomy?

Your child may need a pulpotomy if they’re experiencing:

Persistent tooth pain or discomfort
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
Swollen or red gums near a specific tooth
A visible cavity or discoloration
Signs of nerve involvement on a pulpotomy X-ray

Pulpotomies are often recommended when there’s nerve exposure from a cavity but the tooth can still be saved. This is a core part of pediatric restorative dentistry in Bellevue, allowing us to restore function and relieve pain without full root canal therapy.

Our practice sees many patients referred to us for therapeutic pulpotomies and pediatric tooth extractions in Bellevue, depending on the severity of the case.

What Happens During a Pediatric Pulpotomy?

At our Bellevue pediatric dental office, the pulpotomy process is safe, efficient, and focused on your child’s comfort:

Examination and Diagnosis: Using digital X-rays, we assess the extent of the infection.
Local Anesthesia: The treatment area is numbed for a pain-free procedure.
Partial Pulp Removal: Only the infected pulp tissue in the crown of the tooth is removed.
Medicated Filling: A special dressing is placed to keep the remaining pulp healthy.
Tooth Restoration: Most pulpotomized teeth are restored with a pediatric dental crown — often zirconia for durability and aesthetics.

For anxious patients or children with special healthcare needs, we offer safe, child-appropriate sleep dentistry options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and general anesthesia.

Benefits of a Pulpotomy for Children

Choosing a pulpotomy instead of a tooth extraction supports your child’s long-term dental health and development. Benefits include:

Preserving natural baby teeth
Preventing misalignment due to premature tooth loss
Maintaining normal chewing and speech development
Stopping infection from spreading to surrounding tissues
Reducing the need for more complex dental procedures later

Our pediatric restorative dentist in Bellevue works closely with families to ensure each treatment supports a healthy and confident smile.

Pulpotomy vs. Pulpectomy: What’s the Difference?

Parents often ask, “Is a pulpotomy a root canal?”
While similar, a pulpotomy removes only the diseased part of the pulp in the tooth’s crown. A pulpectomy or full pediatric root canal removes all pulp tissue, including in the roots.

We perform a pulpotomy when the tooth’s root is still healthy, which is common in many childhood cases.

Why Choose The Art of Pediatric Dentistry?

Choosing a pediatric dentist is about more than credentials — it’s about trust, care, and expertise. Families looking for the best pediatric dentists near me consistently choose us for the following reasons:

Dr. Yu Ong is a board-certified pediatric dentist with advanced training in pediatric pulpotomies, sedation, and special needs dentistry.
We specialize in Bellevue pediatric tooth restoration, offering advanced techniques like ICON resin infiltration, smart restorations, and space maintainers.
Our clinic provides compassionate, personalized care in a fun, kid-friendly environment.
We understand the importance of communication — keeping both kids and parents informed and at ease every step of the way.
Our location serves Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, and other Pacific Northwest communities.

Whether your child needs a pulpotomy, dental fillings for cavities, or a complete preventive care plan, we’re here to help.

FAQs About Pulpotomies

What is a pulpotomy for baby teeth?

It’s a nerve treatment that removes infected pulp from the crown of a baby tooth, helping to save the tooth and relieve pain.

Is a pulpotomy painful?

No. We use local anesthesia and gentle techniques to ensure comfort. Sedation dentistry for kids near me is also available for added relaxation.

Is pulpotomy the same as a root canal?

Not exactly. A pulpotomy is a partial nerve removal; a root canal removes all pulp, including in the roots.

How long does a pulpotomy take?

Most procedures take 30–45 minutes, depending on the tooth and restoration used.

What if my child needs more than one pulpotomy?

Our team will create a customized restorative treatment plan that may include multiple procedures performed comfortably in one or more visits.

Schedule Your Child’s Pulpotomy Appointment

📍 Visit us at:
914 140th Ave NE #101, Bellevue, WA 98005

📞 Call to book:
(425) 401-1147

Or contact us online via our Contact Page to schedule your child’s visit.