---
title: "What Is Pulp cap? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A pulp cap is a dressing placed over exposed or nearly exposed pulp to protect it. The goal is to keep the pulp healthy and the tooth alive."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pulp-cap
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Procedures

# Pulp cap

A pulp cap is a dressing placed over exposed or nearly exposed pulp to protect it. The goal is to keep the pulp healthy and the tooth alive.

A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which the exposed vital pulp is treated with a therapeutic material. A base and a restoration follow. The goal is to promote healing and maintain pulp vitality. This can happen when a deep cavity reaches the [tooth pulp](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-pulp).

A pulp cap is a choice for a tooth that still has healthy pulp. If the pulp is badly damaged, a [pulpotomy](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pulpotomy) or [root canal therapy](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/root-canal-therapy) may be needed instead. Your dentist decides based on an exam and x-rays. Our office describes [dental fillings](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-fillings) on its own page.

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Fillings](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-fillings)

## Related terms

-   [Tooth pulp](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-pulp)
-   [Pulpotomy](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pulpotomy)
-   [Root canal therapy](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/root-canal-therapy)
-   [Dental filling](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-filling)
-   [Pulp vitality test](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pulp-vitality-test)

## Sources

1.  [American Dental Association: Glossary of Dental Terms](https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-dental-terms)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)