Vital Pulp Therapy

Vital pulp therapy is a dental procedure aimed at preserving the health and function of a tooth's pulp ¿ the innermost part containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. This treatment becomes necessary when the pulp is exposed or affected by decay, trauma, or other dental issues, yet the tooth itself remains viable. The primary goal of vital pulp therapy is to eliminate infection, promote healing, and maintain the natural tooth structure.One common technique within vital pulp therapy is pulpotomy, where the inflamed portion of the pulp is removed, and the remaining healthy tissue is preserved. This procedure is often performed on primary (baby) teeth to prevent the spread of infection and maintain the integrity of the tooth until it naturally exfoliates.Another approach involves direct pulp capping, which is applicable when the pulp is exposed due to a small mechanical or traumatic exposure. In this case, a biocompatible material, such as calcium hydroxide or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), is placed directly over the exposed pulp to encourage healing and dentin formation, effectively sealing the pulp chamber from bacterial invasion.