Preserving the dental pulp, or part of it, is important when treating a vital tooth with an exposed pulp, particularly if the tooth is immature and root formation is incomplete. In this paper, the practical aspects of pulp capping and partial pulpotomy are discussed, supported by clinical cases and histological examples. The indications, clinical factors, materials and treatment procedures are considered along with the expected prognosis. Schlagwörter: calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate, pulp capping, pulpotomy