Final answer:
The treatment for primary teeth that have abscessed is a pulpectomy, which involves removing infected pulp from the crown and root to maintain tooth integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The treatment used on primary teeth which have abscessed to keep them in the mouth is called a pulpectomy. This procedure involves removing all of the infected pulp tissue from both the crown and the root canal of the tooth. After the pulpectomy, the space is disinfected and filled with a resorbable material. Unlike a pulpotomy which only removes the diseased pulp tissue from the crown portion of the tooth, a pulpectomy removes tissue from both the crown and the root. This treatment helps in maintaining the integrity of the primary tooth until it naturally exfoliates, preventing premature loss of space which is critical for the proper alignment of permanent teeth. A traditional root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is more likely to be performed on a permanent tooth where the goal is to save the tooth for life.