Pulpal regeneration and/or Apexification of incompletely formed roots

In young children, roots grow very much like a plant from a seed.  It takes a few years for the growing tooth to reach full maturity. When an immature tooth is either traumatized, or becomes infected as a result of deep decay, the tooth, in essence may stop growing. This can present a number of problems which affect the ultimate prognosis for the tooth.  Fortunately, there are techniques which can either promote the Regeneration of the lost pulp tissue, thereby allowing the  maturation of the root to be resumed. In cases where regeneration is not feasible, Apexification is a treatment alternative, which does promote enough mineralization of the root to allow the tooth to be retained. This process requires eventual filling of the root canal, while Pulpal Regeneration does not.