Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth
- Indirect pulp capping — deep caries without exposure; place a liner over the remaining affected dentin.
- Direct pulp capping — generally NOT recommended in primary teeth (carious exposures heal poorly).
- Pulpotomy — remove coronal pulp, treat radicular stumps; historically Buckley's formocresol (now controversial); MTA is increasingly preferred (also ferric sulphate).
- Pulpectomy — complete removal of coronal + radicular pulp; obturate with a resorbable paste (ZOE, Ca(OH)₂/iodoform like Metapex) so it resorbs with the root.
Goal
Maintain the primary tooth as a natural space maintainer until exfoliation.
Exam Tips ⭐
Direct pulp cap avoided in primary teeth; pulpotomy = formocresol→MTA; pulpectomy = resorbable paste (ZOE).
📝 Practice MCQs — Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth
Q1. Direct pulp capping in primary teeth is:
A. Routinely recommended
B. Generally NOT recommended
C. The first choice
D. Only with amalgam
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Carious exposures in primary teeth respond poorly to direct capping.
Q2. Classic pulpotomy medicament (now controversial) is:
A. MTA only
B. Buckley's formocresol
C. Calcium hydroxide
D. Sodium fluoride
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Formocresol was classic; MTA is now often preferred.
Q3. Primary tooth pulpectomy uses an obturating paste that is:
A. Non-resorbable
B. Resorbable (e.g., ZOE)
C. Gutta-percha
D. Amalgam
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Resorbable pastes resorb along with the primary root.
📧 Get Free NEET MDS MCQs in Your Inbox
50 high-yield MCQs + mnemonics + AI study tips — completely free
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.