Dental caries continues to be a global problem in both children and adults, with root canal treatment being considered as the conventional management approach for teeth with inflamed pulps.
The current improved understanding of the histopathology and the healing potential of the inflamed pulp, and the use of MTA and hydraulic calcium silicate-based materials, have led to a renewed interest in vital pulp therapy procedures as a minimally invasive treatment approach. With growing evidence from clinical trials reporting favourable outcomes of vital pulp therapy, it is increasingly practiced as an alternative treatment to root canal treatment in teeth with inflamed pulps.
This presentation will review the pros and cons of vital pulp therapy including (indirect pulp cap, direct pulp cap and pulpotomy) for teeth with deep carious lesions, in terms of treatment planning and selection criteria, clinical procedures, cost effectiveness, clinical outcomes and patients’ satisfaction.