A pulpectomy is an emergency dental treatment used when infection or inflammation inside a tooth has progressed to a point where pain or pressure must be controlled urgently. It involves removing the entire dental pulp to stabilise the tooth and reduce the risk of further spread of infection.
In emergency dentistry, a pulpectomy is most commonly used as a stabilising intervention, rather than a final restorative procedure. It is selected when symptoms are severe and conditions are not yet suitable for completing definitive root canal treatment safely. This page explains what a pulpectomy is, when it is used, and how it fits into structured emergency dental care.
A pulpectomy is a procedure in which the full dental pulp is removed from the inside of a tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, and when it becomes irreversibly inflamed or infected, it can cause intense pain and pressure.
Unlike a completed root canal treatment, a pulpectomy is usually performed as an initial emergency step. The aim is to remove infected tissue, reduce bacterial load, and allow inflammation to settle. The tooth is typically sealed temporarily rather than permanently restored at this stage.
Pulpectomy is used when infection control cannot be delayed, but the clinical situation does not yet allow for definitive canal sealing or long-term restoration.
A pulpectomy is considered when symptoms and examination findings indicate significant pulp involvement requiring immediate intervention. Situations where it may be needed include:
In these cases, pain relief alone is not sufficient. Removing the infected pulp reduces internal pressure and bacterial activity, which is essential for stabilising the tooth and surrounding tissues.
Pulpectomy is often used when delaying internal treatment would increase the risk of worsening infection.
Pulpectomy is used to manage several emergency dental problems that originate inside the tooth:
Each of these problems involves internal pathology that cannot resolve without direct intervention.
Emergency pulpectomy begins with a focused clinical assessment. The dentist examines the tooth and uses dental X-rays to confirm that symptoms are originating from the pulp and to assess surrounding bone and tissues.
After diagnosis confirms pulp involvement, the infected tissue is removed to reduce pressure and bacterial load. The tooth is stabilised temporarily to allow inflammation to settle before definitive treatment is planned.
A temporary sealing material is usually placed to protect the tooth and limit further bacterial entry. In emergency care, this temporary seal allows inflammation to settle before definitive treatment is planned.
The procedure is typically completed in a single visit and focuses on stabilisation rather than final restoration.
Pulpectomy is performed under local anaesthetic, which prevents pain during the procedure. The purpose of treatment is to relieve pain by removing inflamed nerve tissue that is causing pressure and sensitivity.
After treatment, mild tenderness can occur for a short period due to surrounding tissue inflammation. This discomfort is generally less severe than the pain caused by active pulp infection.
Most patients notice a significant reduction in pain once the internal source has been removed.
Following a pulpectomy, the tooth is monitored as inflammation resolves. Temporary sensitivity or mild aching may occur for a few days.
Because pulpectomy is usually a stabilising measure, further treatment is often required. This may include completion of root canal treatment or placement of a definitive restoration once the tooth is stable.
Emergency care prioritises infection control first, with long-term planning carried out only after symptoms have settled.
Delaying pulpectomy when it is clinically indicated can lead to progression of disease. Potential risks include:
Early intervention allows infection to be controlled more predictably and reduces the need for more invasive treatment later.
Emergency dentists decide to use pulpectomy based on examination findings, symptom patterns, and imaging results. The goal is to determine whether the pulp is irreversibly damaged and requires immediate removal.
Pulpectomy is used as part of staged emergency care, where urgent stabilisation is followed by planned definitive treatment. This diagnosis-led approach ensures that infection is controlled safely without rushing restorative decisions.
At Deepcar Dental, emergency treatment decisions are led by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, a GDC-registered Principal Dentist with advanced postgraduate training in emergency and restorative dentistry.
Pulpectomy fits within the wider framework of emergency dental care.
Urgent dental assessment is advised if you experience:
An emergency dentist can assess whether pulpectomy or another form of stabilisation is required to control infection safely.
Early diagnosis relieves pain, controls infection, and prevents serious complications. Calm, same-day emergency care is available across Deepcar and surrounding areas.