Treatment options for the exposed vital pulp.

Abstract

The exposure of dental pulp generally occurs as the result of accidental trauma or preparation techniques utilized during the restoration of carious lesions. While frank carious exposures are optimally treated with pulpectomy and root canal therapy, the ideal treatment of mechanically exposed pulps has remained controversial. This article describes the indications, clinical techniques, and prognosis for direct pulp capping and partial pulpotomy.