Pulpotomy
The surgical removal of the coronal portion of the dental pulp, leaving the radicular pulp intact and vital.
Full Definition
A pulpotomy involves excising only the coronal pulp tissue while preserving the vital radicular (root canal) pulp. It is most commonly performed on primary (deciduous) teeth as part of pediatric dentistry and on mature permanent teeth as an emergency measure to relieve acute pulpitis. A medicament such as formocresol, ferric sulphate, or MTA is applied to the remaining pulp stumps to promote healing. The procedure is intermediate between pulp capping and full pulpectomy on the spectrum of endodontic intervention. Editors must not conflate pulpotomy with pulpectomy, which involves complete pulp removal.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish carefully from pulpectomy; pulpotomy preserves radicular pulp, pulpectomy removes it entirely.
In Context
- "The pediatric chart indicated a pulpotomy on tooth D, with ferric sulphate applied to the radicular pulp stumps." — Pediatric dental chart
- "Editors should flag 'pulpotomy' used in reference to a permanent molar where complete pulp removal was performed — the correct term is pulpectomy." — Dental manuscript review