Managing the cracked and deeply carious tooth: a case report.

Area of Science:

• Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Deep carious lesions and cracked teeth present complex restorative challenges.
• Vital pulp treatment (VPT) and bioactive materials like Biodentine are advancing conservative dentistry.
• A lack of consensus exists for managing deep carious lesions in cracked teeth, leading to varied treatment approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the value of vital pulp treatment (VPT) and indirect restoration in managing a cracked tooth with deep caries.
• To address the paucity of evidence regarding clinical protocols for preserving pulpal vitality in such cases.

Main Methods:

• A clinical case report detailing the management of a cracked tooth with deep occlusal caries.
• Application of vital pulp treatment (VPT) principles.
• Restoration using an indirect technique.

Main Results:

• Successful preservation of pulpal vitality was achieved.
• The indirect restoration provided a stable coronal seal and prevented crack propagation.
• The patient avoided more invasive endodontic or extraction procedures.

Conclusions:

• Vital pulp treatment (VPT) combined with indirect restoration is a viable and valuable approach for cracked teeth with deep carious lesions.
• This conservative strategy effectively manages complex cases, preserving tooth structure and function.
• Further clinical studies are warranted to establish definitive protocols.