What is the recommended treatment for a seven-year-old boy with a broken maxillary central incisor and a visible pulp horn?

The recommended treatment for a seven-year-old boy with a broken maxillary central incisor and a visible pulp horn is a calcium hydroxide pulpotomy. This approach is particularly appropriate for young patients with immature permanent teeth exhibiting signs of pulpal exposure or damage.

A pulpotomy involves the removal of the diseased or damaged pulp tissue located in the crown while preserving the vitality of the remaining pulp in the root. By using calcium hydroxide as a medicament, it promotes healing and provides a protective layer for the vital pulp tissue. This is crucial in young patients, as preserving the vitality of the pulp is important for the continued development of the tooth and root.

This treatment is favored because it allows for the potential for continued root development, which is particularly important in children whose teeth are still growing. In contrast, other options like pulpectomy, which is a complete removal of the pulp and is more invasive, or extraction, would not be ideal as they would eliminate the possibility of preserving the tooth and its function. Calcium hydroxide in a filling context would not address the crucial need to manage the exposed pulp effectively while promoting healing.