Considerations and treatment of direct and indirect pulp-capping

Depending on the clinical setting, vital pulp therapy can be managed with an indirect or direct pulp-capping procedure. The determination of which therapy to employ is a decision that must be made by the clinician at the time of treatment. It is hoped that the preceding discussion has informed the clinician as to both the indications and contraindications for each type of treatment and the rationale for selection. Because every possible clinical situation cannot be presented, it is anticipated that by understanding the principles presented in this article, the clinician will be able to correctly identify which therapeutic modality will most benefit the patient. Table 1 is presented as a quick reference to aid in selecting appropriate candidates for pulp-capping procedures.