PART A

PULPOTOMY
TEXT A
A pulpotomy is a dental procedure that can be performed on both adults and children but is commonly used
to treat infect baby (primary) teeth in children. This type of infection happens when tooth decay reaches the
x`x inside the tooth.
If your child complains of pain when cold, hot, or sweet things touch their tooth or teeth, it may mean that
they have pulpitis. Pulpitis is the inflammation of the pulp and its main cause is untreated cavities (tooth
decay). This tooth sensitivity is usually the first sign that your child may have caries.
If it is discovered that your child has irreversible pulpitis caused by tooth decay—where the pulp in the
tooth is severely damaged—then a pulpotomy will not be performed. Instead, your child will have to
undergo a pulpectomy or tooth extraction.
Although much less common, a pulpotomy can also be done when your child has sustained serious
physical trauma to the tooth. A pulpotomy is usually done so that the tooth and pulp in the root of the tooth
can be preserved.

TEXT B
Procedure
The area around the tooth will be numbed with a topical anesthetic, then a local anesthetic will then be
injected. Alternatively, your child may be sedated. The option chosen is usually up to the discretion of the
healthcare provider.
The dentist will single out the tooth to be treated and remove any tooth decay on or around the teeth to
prevent contamination of the pulp. The pulp chamber will then be opened by drilling through the enamel
and the dentin.
Once the roof of the pulp is drilled through, it will bleed. This shows that the pulp is still healthy. If the
pulp chamber is filled with pus or it’s empty and dry, then the dentist cannot continue with the pulpotomy.
The coronal pulp will then be removed/excavated. When this is done, wet cotton swabs or pellets will be
used to stop the bleeding and clean the area. Ideally, this bleeding should stop within a minute or two, or
tops five. Different dentists have their own time limits.
Once the bleeding stops, then the radicular pulp (what of it that can be seen) is treated and covered with
special medication. This medication is usually either formocresol, ferric sulfate, or mineral trioxide
aggregate (MTA).
TEXT C

TEXT D
Time: 15 minutes
● Look at the four texts, A-D, in these separate Text Booklet
● For each question, 1-20, look through the texts, A-D, to find the relevant information.
● Write your answers on the spaces provided in this Question Paper.
● Answer all the questions within the 15-minte time limit.
● Your answers should be correctly spelt.
Pulpotomy: Questions
Questions 1 - 7
For each question 1 – 7, decide which text (A, B, C or D) the information comes from. You may use any
letter more than once. In which text can you find information about.
1. Factors indicating pulpotomy may not be suitable? ___________

2. Stages involved in a pulpotomy procedure? ___________

3. Circumstances where pulpectomy is deemed necessary over pulpotomy? ___________

4. Pediatric medical disorder forewarning to pulpotomy? ___________

5. Elements that may lead to the initiation of pulpitis? ___________

6. Count of individuals evaluated for suitability within the study? ___________

7. Pharmaceuticals commonly utilized to address and shield radicular pulp? ___________

Questions 8 – 14
Answer each of the questions, 8 – 14, with a word or short phrase from one of the texts. Each answer may
include words, numbers or both.
8. Aside from pulpectomy, what other treatment option exists for irreversible pulpitis?
________________________________
9. What is the acronym MTA representative of in dental procedures?
________________________________
10. What proportion of the root must remain intact of a tooth to be deemed unsuitable for pulpotomy?
________________________________
11. Apart from being immunocompromised, what other condition is considered a medical reason against
pulpotomy?
________________________________
12. What alternatives could be utilized besides cotton swabs to stem bleeding and sanitize the area?

________________________________
13. What is the eventual consequence of neglecting to address cavities?
________________________________
14. What is the count of patients who experienced hemorrhaging beyond control?
________________________________

Questions 15 – 20
Complete each of the sentences, 15 – 20, with a word or short phrase from one of the texts. Each answer
may include words, numbers or both.
15. Infections of baby teeth typically occur when dental decay infiltrates the inner ________________ of

the tooth.

16. In exceptional circumstances, a pulpotomy might be conducted following substantial

_____________________________ to a child's tooth.

17. As the enamel and _________________ are drilled through, bleeding commences with the opening of

the pulp chamber.

18. When ___________________________ from an amputated pulp is not manageable, it presents a

localized contraindication for pulpotomy.

19. The dentist's ability to proceed with the pulpotomy is contingent upon the absence of pus-filled or

desiccated _______________________________.

20. Amongst the 90 patients, a total of ______________ teeth have experienced complete pulpotomy

procedures.

END OF PART A

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