What is contraindicated when using calcium hydroxide for pulp capping?

When considering the use of calcium hydroxide for pulp capping, certain conditions make its application beneficial or contraindicated. Calcium hydroxide is often utilized to protect the dental pulp in instances of pulp exposure, primarily because of its capacity to promote healing and dentin formation.

In the context of using calcium hydroxide, a tooth that has experienced pain for several weeks typically presents a situation where the pulp may be necrotic or significantly inflamed. In such cases, the vitality of the tooth's nerve may be compromised. Using calcium hydroxide in a tooth that has been painful for an extended period is contraindicated because the inflammatory conditions suggest that the pulp is not healthy enough to recover. Therefore, a more definitive treatment approach, such as root canal therapy, would likely be more appropriate in this scenario.

In contrast, accidental exposures of pulp, carious exposures in asymptomatic teeth, or even healthy pulp exposure are situations where calcium hydroxide can be beneficial. These conditions generally indicate that the tooth's vitality may still be intact, allowing calcium hydroxide to aid in pulp healing and dentin regeneration effectively.