Peer to Peer: TheraCal PT

When dentists share their restorative challenges with BISCO’s team of researchers, scientists, and clinicians, you can be confident that the manufacturer will waste no time coming up with a solution. For those performing pulpotomies and pulp-capping procedures, help has arrived in the form of TheraCal PT, a dual-cure, resin-modified calcium silicate material that has allowed Dr. Kent Caserta to give his patients' teeth a much-needed second chance.

I recently had a patient come into my office experiencing severe tooth sensitivity that was preventing her from eating on one side of her mouth. Upon closer examination, I found that the patient had a deep area of decay on her second molar, tooth No. 31. Using TheraCal PT, I was able to form a barrier to protect the pulpal area and decrease her sensitivity. Within a day after treatment, she was eating on that tooth again. To her delight, the procedure eliminated all the sensitivity that she was dealing with.

It is cases like these that highlight one of the main reasons why, for over 10 years, I have used BISCO products such as those from the TheraFamily of resin-modified calcium silicate materials. I can always go into procedures feeling confident in their ability to deliver quality treatment to my patients, and as a bonus, they work well in my hands for fast, efficient restorations. This continues to be proven true with TheraCal PT.

Easy Application

One of the key benefits that TheraCal PT provides is its ease of use via syringe delivery, which allows for precise placement and ensures the material flows exactly where it needs to. You can easily control the amount dispensed as well as the direction. This gives me confidence that the area I am concerned with is receiving the full benefit of the material. And with 45 seconds of working time and a maximum setting time of 5 minutes, TheraCal PT helps speed up the restorative procedure.

A Reliable Barrier

Like all TheraFamily products, TheraCal PT features a unique hydrophilic matrix, which facilitates calcium release and generates an alkaline pH that promotes pulp vitality.¹ This is one reason why it is such a reliable protective barrier for the pulp. TheraCal PT also can be easily differentiated from recurrent decay and restorative materials on postop x-rays and during follow-up visits.

The Dual-Cure Difference

TheraCal PT is dual-cured, which increases my confidence that it will cure in deep restorations, getting the most beneficial result. I can also perform restorations in only 1 visit, which ultimately saves time. It is especially useful when treating deep restorations because it allows that “block” between the pulpal area and the restoration— forming a barrier that protects the pulp and helps decrease sensitivity.

Ultimately, TheraCal PT gives the tooth a second chance before endodontic intervention would be required. That’s a win-win for me and my patients.

 1. Okabe T, Sakamoto M, Takeuchi H, Matsushima K. Effects of pH on mineralization ability of human dental pulp cells. J Endo. 2006;32(3):198–201