Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

Direct pulp capping is a dental procedure performed when the pulp is exposed due to caries or trauma, aiming to preserve pulp vitality by placing a protective material over the pulp tissue. The intention behind direct pulp capping is to allow the pulp to heal and create a barrier, thereby minimizing the risk of pulpitis and other complications.

Reversible pulpitis is characterized by inflammation of the pulp that can resolve if treated appropriately, making it a possible outcome after direct pulp capping. Following the procedure, if the pulp remains vital and the inflammation is not severe, patients may exhibit signs of reversible pulpitis, such as mild sensitivity to thermal stimuli. This signifies that the pulp is still capable of recovering from the injury and that the direct pulp capping has had a positive effect.

In contrast, irreversible pulpitis would indicate that the pulp has sustained significant damage and is unlikely to heal, which is a more severe condition that direct pulp capping aims to prevent. The presence of apical periodontitis or pulp necrosis would represent further complications that could arise from an unsuccessful pulp cap or a failure to maintain pulp vitality. Therefore, the most common occurrence, when the procedure is successful, is often signs of reversible pulpitis, as the pulp can potentially recover and