Vital Pulp Therapy in London

What is Vital Pulp Therapy?

Vital pulp therapy represents a group of minimally invasive contemporary endodontic treatments aimed at preserving the vitality (or life) of a dental pulp. The primary goal of these biologically based treatment is to conservatively treat and prevent the spread of infection or inflammation within the tooth whilst maintaining its function and avoiding a more invasive treatment and extraction.

Preserving the vital pulp following an injury or threat of injury offers several benefits. Firstly, it helps maintain the tooth’s defence system, as the pulp plays a vital role in immune responses and protects the tooth from potential infections and inflammation. Secondly, it ensures the full proprioceptive function of the tooth, allowing it to sense and respond to stimuli during chewing and biting. Moreover, when a tooth is still forming, preserving the vital pulp allows for its continued development and the growth of the surrounding dentoalveolar complex, contributing to proper root development and overall structural integrity.

Preserving the vital pulp also reduces the need for complex and sometimes unpredictable endodontic procedures. Treating a necrotic pulp can be technically demanding and not always successful, highlighting the advantages of maintaining pulp vitality. Lastly, by avoiding extensive endodontic treatment, the natural strength and resilience of the tooth structure can be preserved, reducing the risk of tooth fractures.

Who is suitable for Vital Pulp Therapy?

It is important to note that the suitability for vital pulp therapy is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the dental professional. Factors such as the extent of pulp damage, extent of the sound remaining tooth structure, overall oral health, and the likelihood of successful treatment outcomes are taken into consideration when determining the appropriateness of vital pulp therapy for an individual.

The specific situations where vital pulp therapy may be considered include:

Dental caries (deep or very deep dental decay): In these scenarios, the tooth would have to be inspected directly under complete aseptic condition, good lighting and operating microscope, to assess the extent of the damage and suitability of the underlying tooth and pulp tissue. Extent and the texture of the damaged pulp dictates how much tooth tissue is removed. For the reference the treatments are named according to how much pulp tissue is removed; indirect pulp capping, direct pulp capping, partial pulpotomy, full pulpotomy.

Traumatic tooth injuries: When a tooth has suffered a traumatic injury, such as a fracture or a strong impact, vital pulp therapy may be appropriate if the pulp is not severely damaged or contaminated.

Pulp exposure during dental procedures: In some cases, the pulp may be accidentally exposed during dental procedures, such as cavity preparations or crown preparations. If the exposed pulp is healthy, vital pulp therapy can be considered to protect and preserve it.

Immature teeth with pulp infections: In young individuals with immature permanent teeth (usually under the age of 16), vital pulp therapy may be performed to treat pulp infections and allow the tooth to continue developing properly.