What is a sensitive part of the tooth?
The dentino-enamel junction (DEJ)
Where do enamel and dentin meet?
At the dentino-enamel junction
What is the most accepted theory of pain transmission?
Hydrodynamic theory of pain transmission
What are dentinal tubules filled with?
Odontoblastic processes
What are odontoblastic processes wrapped in?
Afferent nerves and dentinal fluid
What happens when enamel or cementum are removed during cavity preparation?
The external seal of dentin is lost
What happens when enamel or cementum are removed during cavity prep?
Small fluid movements in the tubules
Movement causes distortions in the afferent nerve endings, hence, pain
What do hydrostatic pressure changes within the tubules caused by external stimuli cause?
Pain to the pulp through fluid movements within the tubules
What are examples of external stimuli?
temperature change, high speed handpiece, air drying,
osmotic changes from various chemicals, caries
What must be treated with great care during restorative procedures?
Dentin
What must be used whenever cutting high speed handpieces?
Air water sprat
What does air water spray avoid?
Heat build up and the destruction of the odontoblastic processes in the dentin (dead tracts)
What should not be dehydrated by air blasts?
Dentin
- this could cause aspiration of odontoblasts into tubules
Caries control restorations are performed, as part of a larger caries control plan, when one or more of these conditions exist:
What is infected dentin?
Microorganisms are present
Soft, leathery
What is affected dentin?
Dry, powdery
Its not always possible to tell with 100% certainty where __________________________________________________________
Affected dentin ends and infected dentin begins
When is an indirect pulp cap used?
when a deep carious lesion occurs and there is no clinical or radiographic evidence of irreversible pulp damage (such as a history of spontaneous pain, heat sensitivity relieved by cold, or a P. A. lesion)
What are the qualifications of a tooth for an indirect pulp cap?
What should you remember when looking at caries on a radiograph?
Usually deeper than it appears on a radiograph
What is the object of an indirect pulp cap?
Avoid a direct pulp exposure
Is this a candidate for a pulp cap?
Upper arrow: may be candidate
Lower arrow: certainly not a candidate for indirect cap - probably already a direct exposure
What are the two approaches that might be termed “indirect pulp cap”?
Two appt approach:
One appt approach
What pulp capping approach do we use at UMKC?
One appointment approach