What condition contraindicates pulp capping?

Pulp capping is a treatment aimed at protecting the dental pulp tissue after it has been exposed due to caries or trauma. However, certain conditions can make this treatment inadvisable. Inflammation of the radicular pulp contraindicates pulp capping because it suggests that the pulp tissue is already compromised and unable to heal adequately. This condition indicates a deeper level of disease or damage that typically requires more definitive treatment, such as root canal therapy, rather than an attempt to preserve the pulp.

In contrast, an accidental exposure on vital young molars, while concerning, does not automatically rule out pulp capping since the pulp may still remain healthy and capable of healing. Similarly, a vital immature anterior tooth with wide open apices can benefit from pulp capping because the young pulps in these teeth are still capable of responding well to this treatment, potentially leading to normal root development. Curved and tortuous roots may present challenges during treatment but do not inherently contraindicate the use of pulp capping.