You have a tooth that’s giving you trouble. Maybe it throbs periodically throughout the day or maybe it sends zingers shooting through your whole mouth when you bite down. Very often, toothaches are caused by deep cavities and, in many cases, your dentist will recommend a root canal to remove the source of infection. However, if caught early enough, you may be eligible for a pulp cap, a conservative alternative to root canal therapy that can help you avoid more invasive (and expensive) treatments.
A Closer Look at Pulp Capping
The most common cause of a toothache is severe decay that has descended into the nerve-filled inner layer of the tooth, called the pulp. The most common treatment for deep decay is root canal therapy, a complex procedure that involves removing the infected pulp tissue, filling in the empty tooth chamber, and sealing the tooth off with a crown, inlay, or onlay. If the decay is caught just as it reaches the pulp, though, a pulp cap can stop the infection from descending further into the tooth. There are two kinds of pulp caps your dentist can place:
- Direct pulp cap: If the pulp is exposed, your dentist can place a filling material (usually a preparation of calcium hydroxide) directly on the area to protect it. Direct pulp caps work best on patients who have exposed pulp due to traumatic injury rather than decay.
- Indirect pulp cap: If the pulp is still covered by a thin layer of dentin, an indirect pulp cap is placed to protect the interior of the tooth.
The Pros and Cons of Pulp Caps
If it’s successful, pulp capping offers a significantly more affordable, more conservative alternative to root canal therapy. This restorative technique represents a major advance in dentistry and a ray of hope for people who dread the thought of a full root canal. It should be noted, though, that pulp capping has an average success rate of 60%, meaning that approximately 40% of patients will still have to undergo root canal to save the tooth.
About David Tillman, DDS
Drawing from a wealth of continuing education and hands-on experience, Dr. David Tillman and his staff are committed to providing individuals and families with exceptional general, restorative, and cosmetic dental care from our Fort Worth, TX dentist’s office. To schedule an appointment or complimentary consultation to discuss alternatives to root canal therapy, call us today at (817) 870-4746. Located in the heart of the Downtown Fort Worth medical district, we proudly serve patients from across the Metroplex.