title: Pulp-dentin biology in restorative dentistry. Part 7: The exposed pulp.
abstract: Exposure of the dental pulp, through a caries lesion, accidentally during routine cavity preparation, or as a result of tooth fracture, is a clinical reality that requires optimal treatment. The potential for healing by formation of a dentinal bridge is good, provided that the pulp is not inflamed. Calcium hydroxide has a long history of inducing dentinal bridge formation to promote successful healing. Resin composites are emerging as alternative materials for pulp capping, but healing is slower, and relatively little clinical experience is available for analysis. The prognosis for healing is poor after exposure of an inflamed pulp. Pulpotomy should be considered to create a wound in an uninflamed location. If an exposure is expected through a caries lesion, stepwise excavation of the carious dentin should be considered to allow healing of the dentin and pulp prior to the final excavation of the carious dentin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, University of Florida, College of Dentistry, PO Box 100415, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. imjor@dental.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Ivar A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Mjör
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods*; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000628:therapy; D011672:Pulpotomy; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C031172:4-META resin; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide