Direct Pulp Capping - Possible Alternative to Root Canals
Information, Research, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
If your dentist is suggesting a root canal and you would rather do everything you can to save the tooth, including its root and nerve, direct pulp capping may be an alternative to the traditional and controversial root canal.
⚠️ The challenge is to find a dentist who has experience with this procedure.
🦷 What is Pulp Capping?
The dentist drills out the decay of a tooth, and then places a cap over the exposed pulp. The tooth can then, hopefully, form dentin over the pulp.
Pulp capping requires the tooth to be still alive.
🔬 How Dentists Test Tooth Vitality
⚡ Electric Vitality Test
The dentist gauges your reaction to different stimuli applied to the tooth.
👁️ Visual Inspection
Checking tooth color, gum health, and looking for signs of infection or abscess.
Signs of a Healthy Tooth:
- • Natural tooth color (not darkened)
- • Pink, non-inflamed surrounding gum tissue
- • No pus pockets in the gum near the tooth bone
- • Digital X-ray shows no bone infection
✅ When Pulp Capping is an Excellent Option
🚨 Recent Trauma Cases
When the nerve has been exposed very recently due to trauma, and has only been irritated for a short period of time.
📏 Minimal Exposure
If there is only minimal exposure of the pulp (1-2 millimeters). The nerve may not have suffered as much damage, and the cap doesn't have as much surface to cover.
🔧 How the Procedure is Performed
The dentist removes the cavity, exposing a small amount of the pulp
Medication is placed on the pulp
The pulp cap is placed, followed by a filling
The dentist may do a temporary filling and check in six months to see if dentin has formed over the pulp
🔄 Alternative Options
In cases where pulp capping is not an option, non-reactive metal implants made from zirconium can be considered.
📖 Related Topics
🌿 Path to a Healthy Mouth
Comprehensive guide to maintaining oral health
🦷 Brushing & Rinsing Tips
Save money & avoid toxins in commercial products
🩹 Common Dental Health Problems
Understanding various dental conditions
💧 Saliva Protection
Body's most important protection against tooth decay