Indirect Pulp Capping
INDIRECT PULP CAPPING is defined as the procedure wherein small amount of carious dentin is retained in deep areas of cavity to avoid exposure of pulp, followed by placement of a suitable medicament and restorative material that seals off the carious dentin and encourages pulp recovery.
Objectives of Indirect pulp capping -
-Arresting the carious process
-Promoting dentin sclerosis
-Stimulating formation of tertiary dentin
-Remineralization of carious dentin
Rationale of Indirect Pulp Capping -
-Disinfection of the residual affected dentin is more readily accomplished.
-It eliminates the need for difficult pulp therapy by arresting the carious process and allowing the pulp reparative process to occur.
-Patient comfort is immediate.
-Rampant dental decay is halted when all carious teeth are treated.
Treatment Procedure -
Indirect pulp capping can be performed as single- or two-step approach(stepwise excavation).