Ways of Maintaining Pulp Vitality: Narrative Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is a prevalent global health issue, affecting a significant portion of the population and impacting social and personal well-being. Traditional methods focused on aggressive caries removal, but recent advances emphasize the importance of preserving pulp vitality through minimal invasive techniques. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of various vital pulp therapy techniques including indirect and direct pulp capping and pulpotomy, and to analyze the effectiveness of new biomaterials in preserving dental pulp vitality in teeth affected by caries or trauma. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using the Islamabad Medical and Dental College library and online databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. The review included peer-reviewed articles that discussed vital pulp therapy, materials used in pulp capping, and their outcomes. Articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria with no date restrictions, focusing solely on literature published in English. Results: The review identified 32 relevant studies, indicating a shift towards less invasive procedures that prioritize dental pulp preservation. Innovations in biomaterials such as Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), Biodentin, and resin-based MTA have shown to enhance healing outcomes and are increasingly preferred over traditional materials like Calcium Hydroxide due to their superior properties and clinical results. Conclusion: Vital pulp therapies are crucial for managing teeth with deep carious lesions or trauma, offering a conservative alternative to more invasive treatments. These therapies are instrumental in maintaining the structural integrity and health of natural teeth, thus reducing the need for extensive dental procedures and promoting overall oral health.