Dr. Dezham
Dr. Dezham is inspired by the desire to help you achieve optimal health and provide you with the absolute best that dentistry has to offer.
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3009 K street
suite 255
Sacramento, CA 95816
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Archive:
- 2019
- October (6)
- You May Need an Endodontist for a Tooth With Interior Decay
- Tooth Sensitivity Could Be a Sign of Deeper Problems
- Hugh Jackman Is All Smiles for His New Broadway-Inspired Show
- 3 Reasons to See a Pediatric Dentist
- The Triple Partnership That Could Save a Cancer Patient's Oral Health
- 3 Reasons Why Correcting a Poor Bite Is Worthwhile at Any Age
- August (6)
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Improve Your Bone Health
- Put the Extra Effort in Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces
- Lingual Braces: An Invisible Way to Move Your Teeth
- Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
- Oral Hygiene Might Be on the Decline With the Newest Adult Generation
- Don't Let Summer Heat Increase Your Risk of Dental Disease
- July (6)
- Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
- Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Getting an Implant - if it's Under Control
- How Early Dental Visits Can Improve Your Child's Oral Health
- Floss First or Last? Here are Reasons for Either Approach
- Pop Star Demi Lovato Pops Out Jay Glazer's Tooth
- June (6)
- Getting a New 'Tooth in a Day' Will Depend on Your Bone Health
- Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
- Be on the Alert for White Spots on Teeth While Wearing Braces
- Spice Up Your Teeth
- Anchorage Tools Help Orthodontists Correct Complex Bite Problems
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- May (7)
- Consider an Effective and Affordable RPD for Teeth Replacement
- How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
- How Dentists Provide Your Child the Benefit of X-Rays as Safely as Possible
- Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer with a Healthy Diet
- Root Canal Therapy Might Just Save Your Tooth!
- Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- April (6)
- Your Age Doesn't Have to Keep You from a Straighter Smile
- Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
- NBA Player's Injury Points Out Need for Mouthguards
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- A Dental Exam Could Uncover an Eating Disorder
- March (6)
- Lady Gaga Wasn't "Born This Way?"
- 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
- Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
- The 3 Top Ingredients That Make Your Toothpaste a Super Plaque Buster
- Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- February (5)
- National Children's Dental Health Month Highlights Importance of Baby Teeth
- Composite Resin Could Amp up Your Teeth's Attractiveness in Just One Visit
- Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
- Here's What you Need to Know about a Root Canal Treatment
- Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
- January (7)
- Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
- Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- A Bonded Retainer Could be a Preferred Choice over a Removable One
- Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
- Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
- A Root Canal Treatment can Save Your Tooth and Relieve Pain
- 2018
- December (6)
- Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
- Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
- J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
- Advanced Equipment and Safe Practices Ensure X-Ray Safety for Children
- Don't give up on Flossing!
- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- November (6)
- NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
- Dentures are Still a Viable Choice for Tooth Replacement
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
- Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
- Practice Caution with Energy or Sports Drinks to Protect Your Enamel
- October (6)
- Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
- What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- September (6)
- Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
- Don't Wait - Seek Out Treatment for Gum Recession Now
- See Your Dentist if You're Having one of These 3 Dental Problems
- It's National Gum Care Month - Take Care of Your Gums
- Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
- Not all Dental Crowns Share the Same Quality of Life-Likeness
- August (6)
- Veneers may Offer a Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
- Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
- July (6)
- Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
- Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
- Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
- 4 Important Facts About Gum Recession and What You can do About It
- May (7)
- Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
- Assessing Your Risk for Severe Gum Disease
- 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
- What to Do For Mouth Injuries Your Child Might Encounter
- Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- Why we Need to Care for a Younger Patient's Bone after a Tooth Loss
- April (5)
- Topical Fluoride can Enhance Your Child's Dental Care
- Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
- If You're not a Good Candidate for Dental Implants, Consider Bridgework
- Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
- 3 Things You Need to Know about Easing Anxiety Over Dental Visits
- 2017
- June (5)
- Not All Bacteria are Harmful to Oral Health
- Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
- Screw or Cement: Which is Best for Attaching Your Implant Crown?
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- Dealing with the Reality of Increased Disease Risk with Braces
- March (5)
- Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
- Don't let Limited Finances Keep you From Needed Dental Care
- Antibiotics Before Implant Surgery Could Lower Infection Risk in Some People
- The Top 3 Oral Problems in America - and What You Should Do About Them
- How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
- 2016
- December (5)
- Transform Your Smile and Dental Health by Correcting Your Bad Bite
- Keep Ahead of Potential Sidetracks to Your Child's Oral Health
- Help 'De-Stress' Your Child's Dental Visits with these Tips
- Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
- Non-Prescription Pain Medication can Manage Most Post-Procedure Discomfort
- September (5)
- 4 Things to Give Your Child a Head Start on Good Oral Health
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking by Age 4
- What's Causing Your Toothache? The Answer Determines Your Treatment
- July (5)
- Consult Your Dentist for Help with Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea
- Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
- Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
- Increase Bone Mass for Dental Implants through Grafting
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- May (5)
- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
- Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
- Home Whitening Kits are Safe and Effective, if Used the Right Way
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
- Create a Strategy to Deal with Dental Problems to Avoid Future Expenses
- 2015
- January (5)
- It's an Art: Determining Tooth Color in Composite Resin Restorations
- Taking the Right Steps to Prevent Early Tooth Decay in Children
- Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
- Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
- Test Your Knowledge: A Quiz on Dental Erosion
- 2014
Tags
- celebrity smiles (72)
- sleep apnea (2)
- dental implants (21)
- dentures (7)
- dental erosion (1)
- oral hygiene (35)
- oral health (21)
- pediatric dentistry (19)
- tooth decay (14)
- fillings (2)
- dental exam (1)
- orthodontics (10)
- retainers (3)
- gum disease (23)
- root canal (6)
- blood pressure medications (1)
- medicine (1)
- x-rays (3)
- removable partial denture (2)
- bridge (2)
- porcelain veneers (7)
- smile makeover (2)
- cosmetic dentistry (13)
- tmj disorders (4)
- tmd (2)
- tmj (1)
- root planing (1)
- laser dentistry (1)
- dental specialists (1)
- ulcers (1)
- canker sores (1)
- braces (14)
- crown lengthening (1)
- teeth whitening (11)
- birth control (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- palatal expander (2)
- orthodontic treatment (26)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- crowns (5)
- teeth wear (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- infection control (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- anchorage devices (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- dental sealants (2)
- thumb sucking (4)
- fluoride (2)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- implant overdentures (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- root canal treatment (8)
- bad breath (1)
- tooth replacement (2)
- bone grafting (3)
- clear aligners (2)
- snoring (1)
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- facial pain (1)
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- burning mouth syndrome (1)
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- mouthguard (1)
- dental injury (9)
- missing teeth (1)
- periodontal disease (3)
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Categories:
Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth

There’s one sure thing about tooth decay: you can’t ignore it. In fact, the best outcomes result from finding it early and treating it before it enters the pulp in the center of the tooth, often a filling or similar treatment.
If it does advance to the pulp, you may need a root canal treatment to save the tooth. This is a moderately invasive procedure where we access the pulp and root canals, tiny passageways leading to the root and supporting bone. We then remove all the diseased tissue and fill the empty pulp chamber and root canals with a special filling. Later we’ll crown the tooth for added protection against future infection or fracture of the tooth.
But there’s also another less-invasive method than a root canal called pulp capping. It’s only appropriate to use, however, if the pulp has become exposed or almost exposed by decay, but hasn’t yet shown signs of disease.
Pulp capping can be either direct or indirect. We use direct pulp capping if the healthy pulp has been exposed by the disease process. We first isolate the tooth from the rest of the mouth to prevent contamination and then proceed to remove all of the tooth’s decayed dentin structure. We then apply a biocompatible material directly over the pulp to protect it from further decay and to facilitate healing. We then restore the tooth, usually with a filling, to its proper function and life-like appearance.
When the pulp is threatened by decay but not yet exposed, we may then use the indirect method. In this approach we first remove most of the decayed dentin, but leave a small amount next to the pulp to keep it covered. We then treat this remaining dentin with a material to help it heal and re-mineralize, followed by a temporary filling of the tooth. A few months later we’ll remove this filling and inspect the treated dentin. If it has regenerated sufficiently, we remove any remaining decay and permanently restore the tooth.
As we said, pulp capping is only used with patients with deep decay whose pulp tissue is healthy. But when we can use it we can avoid some of the permanent alterations that often come with a root canal treatment and still save the tooth.
If you would like more information on treatments for tooth decay, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Pulp Capping: A Procedure that May Save a Decayed Tooth.”