Did I just have what's called Pulp Capping??? [Archive]

amystri

03-29-2005, 02:51 PM

Hi,
My first post here and have a question. I have a tooth (#29) that cracked, leaving me in NO pain at all now, nor before it cracked. Upon my visit to the dentist today, the x-ray showed a large cavity almost touching the nerve.

The dentist, whom I trust very much said he needs drill through, remove the decay and hope that he does not hit or expose the nerve in the process. Then he will add some medication and permanently fill the cavity and give it a few weeks to see how my tooth reacts.

Soooo, we did this, all went well, he stated that there was no bleeding from the inside of the tooth and he did not see or hit the nerve. The filling was put in and the crack I had is fixed, now here are my questions?

1. Is this called pulp capping?
2. I have no pain, so far, (8 hours later), does that mean the chance of it working is great?
3. Dentist stated there is a 50/50 chance of it working but wouldn't I have immediate pain if it was not working, why did he say to give it a few weeks?

Thanks everyone,
Chris

rush_rulz

03-29-2005, 08:37 PM

amystri

03-29-2005, 08:44 PM

hmm I don't know i've never heard of filling an area w/ exposed nerve. I'm guessing he said give a few weeks because it could end up cracking again but It is great you aren't in any pain! Got to be a good sign right? I thought you'd need a root canal w/ an nerve exposed but let us know if this works out ok!

Thanks for the reply, the nerve though was not exposed as the crack was not that deep, the problem was the cavity itself was deep and very close to the nerve. So when he drilled, he said he was soo close to the nerve that if it became exposed while he was removing the decay, he would then have to do a root canal on the spot. But luckily, he said that it did not get exposed.

And yes, no pain is a good sign. Knock on wood!! :)