Direct pulp cap
When a small exposure of the pulp is encountered during cavity preparation and after hemorrhage control is obtained, the exposed pulp is capped with a material such as calcium hydroxide or MTA prior to placing a restoration that seals the tooth from microleakage.
• Indications: Direct pulp capping is indicated for a permanent tooth that has a small carious or mechanical exposure in a tooth with a normal pulp.
• Objectives: The tooth’s vitality should be maintained. No post-treatment clinical signs or symptoms of sensitivity, pain, or swelling should be evident. Pulp healing and reparative dentin formation should occur. There should be no radiographic evidence of internal or external root resorption, periapical radiolucency, abnormal calcification, or other pathologic changes. Teeth with immature roots should show continued root development and apexogenesis.
