What is the role of calcium hydroxide in dentistry?

Calcium hydroxide plays a significant role in dentistry primarily as a liner that stimulates the formation of reparative dentin. This is a critical function, especially when treating carious lesions or during pulpal exposure. When applied to the dentin or pulp, calcium hydroxide promotes the deposition of new dentin, known as reparative dentin, which helps protect the pulp and encourage healing. This property makes it particularly valuable in procedures involving direct or indirect pulp capping.

In contrast, while calcium hydroxide is sometimes referenced in relation to root canal treatment, it is not used as a filler for root canals but rather as an intracanal medicament for its antibacterial properties. It is also not a general analgesic for pain relief, as its primary function is not related to alleviating discomfort but to promoting dentin regeneration. Furthermore, calcium hydroxide is not typically used as a cement for crowns and bridges; dental cements serve different purposes and have different composition bases. Overall, its standout characteristic in dentistry is its ability to enhance reparative processes in the dental tissue.