Indirect pulp treatment is the procedure where the carious tissue is removed and a thin layer of caries is left at the deepest sites of the cavity preparation. In the cavity preparation complete caries removal would result in pulp exposure.1 It is important that the lateral walls of the cavity preparation are caries-free for interfacial seal and adequate control of microleakage.1 Indications for indirect pulp capping procedure are on a tooth with no pulpitis or with reversible pulpitis where a thin layer of dentine is left behind to prevent iatrogenic pulpal exposure.2 Reversible pulpitis is associated with discomfort and pain on stimulus such as sweet or cold. The duration of the pain is short. Causes of discomfort may be due to dentinal sensitivity, caries or deep restoration. Dentinal sensitivity is not an inflammatory …show more content…
MTA is composed of tricalcium oxide, tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate and tricalcium aluminate. It also contains bismuth oxide for the radiopaque properties. There are two types of MTA which are the grey and the white. The difference between the two is the content of iron, aluminium and magnesium oxides. There is less or total absence of the oxides in the white MTA. MTA is biocompatible, antibacterial, aids in the release of bioactive dentin matrix proteins. In addition, it induces tissue regeneration and mineralization, has superior marginal adaptation and sealing ability, and does not react with other dental materials. The disadvantages of MTA is high solubility, the presence of iron in the grey formulation may discolour the tooth and prolonged setting time.3 The setting time ranges from 2 hours and 20 minutes to 2 hours and 55 minutes.8 Since MTA is hydrophilic, it requires moisture to set which improves the flexural strength of the set cement. MTA in clinical areas include root end filling after apicoectomy, and internal/external root