Demystifying pulpotomy in adult dentition: Case reports

Abstract

Vital pulp therapy for a carious exposure in a mature permanent tooth may be a reasonable alternative to root canal therapy or extraction. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) or Biodentine are bioactive materials which are alternatives to traditionally used calcium hydroxide. They offer advantages like easy to manipulate, shorter setting time and relatively inexpensive. Pulpotomy, a conservative treatment modality for irreversible pulpitis is a newer concept in adult dentition. In properly selected cases, may contribute to the long-term maintenance of tooth vitality. It is a biomimetic material having a positive effect on vital pulp cells and stimulates tertiary dentine or reparative dentine formation in direct contact with vital pulp tissue. This article presents two case reports, using Biodentine, which is a promising material having the potential to maintain pulp vitality in patients judiciously selected for vital pulp therapy.