Indirect pulp therapy is characterized by which statement?

• A. Involves removing decayed dentin at risk while leaving affected dentin to remineralize, sealing with a biocompatible material.
• B. Requires pulpal exposure for success.
• C. Involves full pulpectomy.
• D. Is the same as direct pulp capping.

Answer: (A)

Indirect pulp therapy focuses on preserving pulp vitality by removing only the dentin that is infected or at risk of progressing to pulpal inflammation, while leaving the outer layer of demineralized dentin (the affected dentin) to remineralize. After removing the at-risk dentin, a biocompatible liner or sealing material is placed and the tooth is restored to isolate the area from bacteria. This approach relies on the pulp’s ability to respond and form reparative dentin as long as the environment is sealed and bacterial ingress is prevented.

This is different from procedures that require pulpal exposure or remove the entire pulp, such as full pulpectomy, and from direct pulp capping, which involves placing a medicament directly on an exposed pulp rather than treating carious dentin at the margin to allow remineralization.