Endodontic Dental Resident Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Vital pulp therapy (VPT) has gained increasing attention as a viable alternative to traditional root canal treatments for the pulpally involved, incompletely developed tooth. A key technique in VPT includes pulpotomy in which the inflamed portion of the coronal pulp is removed to the level where the remaining pulp tissue appears healthy. How much of the pulp tissue to remove is subjective as it is based on the provider’s ability to visually evaluate hemorrhage control and discern pulp tissue health. Examination of the pulp tissue after the pulpotomy and its ability for hemostasis is critical before application of an appropriate biomaterial to ensure success of this treatment methodology. Traditionally, vital pulpotomies have been completed using a sterile diamond bur on a high-speed handpiece with copious water. Often, it is uncertain if the observed bleeding is a result of previously inflamed pulp or a result of traumatizing the pulp tissue. Recent advancements in erbium laser technology have introduced promising applications in VPT, particularly in improving the precision in the tissue ablating capabilities. These lasers allow the clinician to ablate cell layer by cell layer, with improved visibility and control. This table clinic aims to demonstrate chairside techniques on how laser technology can provide a new, less invasive and less complicated approach for vital pulpotomy to further improve our patients’ dental health.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
