Recent trauma
A fall or a blow that exposes the pulp — if the pulp is still alive and not heavily contaminated, apexogenesis is the first choice.
08 — Vital pulp therapy for young teeth
Apexogenesis
in Kiel.
When a young permanent tooth is injured or affected by decay but the dental pulp is still alive — vital pulp therapy allows the root to keep growing. Modern, bioceramic, gentle.
What is it?
Keeping the pulp
alive.
Apexogenesis is a vital pulp therapy for young permanent teeth whose root growth is not yet complete. The aim is to preserve part of the vital pulp — so that the root can continue to grow and the root apex can close naturally.
Instead of removing all of the pulp tissue (a conventional root canal treatment), we remove only the inflamed or injured part and cover the healthy remaining pulp tissue with bioceramic materials (Biodentine, MTA).
The decisive advantage: the tooth keeps its vitality, the root wall becomes thicker and more stable, the root apex closes naturally — the tooth has the best possible chances of being preserved.
When is it suitable?
Young teeth
with living pulp.
Apexogenesis is only an option while the pulp is still alive. If the pulp is no longer vital, apexification is the right choice.
Deep decay
With very deep decay in a young tooth — if only part of the pulp is inflamed, the healthy pulp can be preserved.
Stage of growth
In teeth whose root development is not yet complete (typically 7–14 years) — keeping the pulp vital allows further growth.
Our approach
Bioceramics
instead of calcium hydroxide.
What was long regarded as the standard is now outdated. Modern bioceramic materials have transformed apexogenesis.
Biodentine / MTA
Advanced bioceramic materials — they stimulate the remaining pulp tissue to form a hard „bridge“ of tertiary dentine. This protects the pulp in the long term.
Microscope & rubber dam
A low-bacteria working field and maximum magnification — two key conditions for high success rates.
Bleeding control
Complete haemostasis is essential — only then can the bioceramic seal bond reliably and the pulp tissue regenerate.
Strict indication
Not every tooth is suitable. We test vitality precisely and assess trauma and the position of the decay critically — success depends on choosing the right patient.
Procedure
Treatment
in 6 steps.
01
Vitality testing & diagnostics
Cold/heat test, percussion test, X-ray. After trauma, a CBCT scan to assess the root structures.
02
Local anaesthesia & rubber dam
A pain-free, low-bacteria working field — the basic condition for success.
03
Gentle partial pulp removal
Only the inflamed or injured part of the pulp is removed — usually the coronal pulp (pulpotomy). The rest stays vital.
04
Bleeding control
The wound is irrigated with sodium hypochlorite and the bleeding stopped — we wait until the tissue is settled.
05
Bioceramic capping
Biodentine or MTA is applied in layers directly onto the remaining vital pulp tissue.
06
Tight coronal seal & follow-up
Definitive restoration of the tooth. Follow-up appointments after 3, 6 and 12 months — we check vitality and root growth.
85–95%
Success rate
With Biodentine / MTA and treatment under the microscope.
Vitality
preserved
The tooth stays vital — root growth can continue.
7–14
years of age
Typical patient age with incomplete root growth.
Costs
What does
the treatment cost?
Apexogenesis is a specialised vital pulp therapy that involves work under the microscope and high-quality bioceramic materials. It is charged as a private service.
The investment is worthwhile: the child's own tooth can complete its root growth and be kept for decades.
Guide prices
- Apexogenesis with Biodentine / MTA: approx. 350–700 €
- Follow-up (3, 6, 12 months): approx. 30–60 € per appointment
- CBCT (after trauma): approx. 100–250 €
We discuss the total costs transparently before treatment begins.
Frequently asked questions
Answers
on apexogenesis.
The questions parents and patients ask most often.
What is apexogenesis?
A vital pulp therapy for young permanent teeth whose root growth is not yet complete. The aim: to preserve part of the vital pulp so that the root can keep growing and the root apex can close naturally.
When is apexogenesis suitable?
In cases of deep decay or trauma in young permanent teeth with a vital pulp and incomplete root growth — usually in children and adolescents between 7 and 14 years of age.
What is the difference from apexification?
With apexification the pulp is already dead — the root apex is sealed artificially with MTA. With apexogenesis the pulp is still alive — and can finish growing the root itself. Apexogenesis is always the better option as long as the pulp is still vital.
How high is the success rate?
With the correct indication and treatment under the microscope using bioceramics, the success rate is 85–95 %. Early diagnosis, complete bleeding control and biocompatible materials are what matter.
Does the tooth stay vital permanently?
In most cases, yes. We check vitality after 3, 6 and 12 months. Should the pulp die after all, a root canal treatment is still perfectly possible later on — by then the tooth is usually fully grown and stable.
What does the treatment cost?
The cost is usually between 350 and 700 euros. We draw up a transparent cost estimate before treatment begins.
More treatments
Related
treatments.
If keeping the pulp vital is not possible, we offer alternatives.
Non-vital
apexification
When the pulp has already died — an MTA plug at the root apex.
Learn more PrimaryRoot canal treatment
When root development is complete.
Learn more DiagnosticsCBCT — 3D imaging
After trauma: assessment of the root structures.
Learn more AestheticsInternal bleaching
If discolouration develops after trauma — lightening the tooth.
Learn moreBook
Dental trauma in a child?
Act quickly.
With young permanent teeth, every hour counts. Book directly — emergency appointments are possible too.