Direct Pulp Capping and Indirect Pulp Treatment in Primary and Young Permanent Teeth with Deep Caries Lesion

Direct and indirect pulp capping treatments are applied in both primary and young permanent teeth with deep dentin caries in order to preserve pulp vitality. Indirect pulp capping requires either one or two visits and is performed to prevent pulp exposure and maintain pulp viability in teeth with deep carious lesions. Direct pulp capping is also performed in order to maintain the vitality of pulp exposed due to trauma or following removal of deep dentin caries by covering the remaining pulp through the formation of hard tissue. In cases of deep dentin caries, pulp may be exposed during caries excavation and may thus become contaminated by infected dentin debris or other lesion residue, increasing the risk of infection and leading to unexpected treatment failure. In order to avoid pulp exposure, indirect pulp capping is recommended over conventional techniques in order to avoid pulp exposure when treating primary and young permanent teeth with carious involvement.