Pulp capping

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Sedative material placed over exposed or nearly exposed pulp 1) crown 2) root 3) restoration 4) pulp cap 5)
pulp chamber

Pulpal dentin junction. 1) outside tooth/enamel 2) dentin tubule 3) dentin 4) odontoblastic process 5) predentin
6) odontoblast 7) capillaries 8) fibroblasts 9) nerve 10) artery/vein 11) cell-rich zone 12) cell-poor zone 13) pulp
chamber

Pulp capping is a technique used in dental restorations to prevent the dental pulp from necrosis,
after being exposed, or nearly exposed during a cavity preparation. When dental caries is removed
from a tooth, all or most of the infected and softened enamel and dentin are removed. This can lead
to the pulp of the tooth either being exposed or nearly exposed which causes pulpitis (inflammation).
Pulpitis, in turn, can become irreversible, leading to pain and pulp necrosis, and necessitating
either root canal treatment or extraction.[1] The ultimate goal of pulp capping or stepwise caries
removal is to protect a healthy dental pulp and avoid the need for root canal therapy.
To prevent the pulp from deteriorating when a dental restoration gets near the pulp, the dentist will
place a small amount of a sedative dressing, such as calcium hydroxide or MTA. These materials,
protect the pulp from noxious agents (heat, cold, bacteria) and stimulate thecell-rich zone of the pulp
to lay down a bridge of reparative dentin. Dentin formation usually starts within 30 days of the pulp
capping (there can be a delay in onset of dentin formation if the odontoblasts of the pulp are injured
during cavity removal) and is largely completed by 130 days.[2]:491–494
Two different types of pulp cap are distinguished. In direct pulp capping, the protective dressing is
placed directly over an exposed pulp; and in indirect pulp capping, a thin layer of softened dentin,
that if removed would expose the pulp, is left in place and the protective dressing is placed on
top.[3] A direct pulp cap is a one-stage procedure, whereas a stepwise caries removal is a two-stage
procedure over about six months.

Pulp polyp
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A pulp polyp, also known as chronic hyperplastic pulpitis, is a "productive" (i.e., growing)
inflammation of dental pulp in which the development of granulation tissue is seen in response to
persistent, low-grade mechanical irritation and bacterial invasion of the pulp.[1][2]
Pinktooth

may present initially as a pink-hued area on the crown of the tooth; the hyperplastic, vascular
pulp tissue filling in the resorbed areas. This condition is referred to as apink tooth of
Mummery, after the 19th century anatomist John Howard Mummery. It may also present as an
incidental, radiographic finding.

Dental plaque
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Dental plaque is a biofilm or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky
colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar, it is often brown or pale yellow. It is commonly
found between the teeth, on the front of teeth, behind teeth, on chewing surfaces, along the gumline,
or below the gumline cervical margins.[1] Dental plaque is also known as microbial plaque, oral
biofilm, dental biofilm, dental plaque biofilm or bacterial plaque biofilm. Bacterial plaque is one of the
major causes for dental decay and gum disease.[1]
Progression and build-up of dental plaque can give rise to tooth decay – the localised destruction of
the tissues of the tooth by acid produced from the bacterial degradation offermentable sugar – and
periodontal problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis;[2] hence it is important to disrupt the mass
of bacteria and remove it.[3] Plaque control and removal can be achieved with correct daily or twice-
daily tooth brushing and use of interdental aids such as dental floss and interdental brushes.[1]
Oral hygiene is important as dental biofilms may become acidic causing demineralization of the teeth
(also known as dental caries) or harden into dental calculus (also known as tartar).[4] Calculus cannot
be removed through tooth brushing or with interdental aids, but only through professional cleaning.[2]

Pericoronitis is inflammation of the tissue surrounding a third molar, otherwise

known as a wisdom tooth. The condition most often occurs in molars that are
partially impacted, or not fully visible. It’s also more common in lower molars
than in the upper ones.

Most people with pericoronitis have a flap of gum tissue partially covering the
crown of the erupting tooth.

Your doctor may recommend having the flap removed or extracting the tooth,
based on a number of factors. Sometimes, only treating the actual symptoms
is the best course of action