Randomized control trial comparing calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate for partial pulpotomies in cariously exposed pulps of permanent molars

Abstract

Aim: To compare the treatment outcomes when calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate are used for partial pulpotomy in cariously exposed young permanent molars in a randomized control trial.

Methodology: Eighty-four teeth in 80 volunteers (aged 7-10 years) with reversible pulpitis and carious pulp exposures were randomly divided into two groups. Exposed pulps were severed using high-speed round burs until fresh pulp was seen. Cavities were irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, and the pulp exposures were photographed and measured. Dycal or ProRoot MTA was placed on the pulp. Vitremer was placed over the material until the remaining cavity was 2 mm deep; amalgam was then placed. Teeth were evaluated for clinical symptoms and radiographic periapical changes after 24 h, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Mean survival times and incidence of extraction were calculated using exact binomial confidence intervals.

Results: The median survival time for both ProRoot MTA and Dycal groups was 24 months. Three teeth had unfavourable outcomes with the incidence rate of 0.20/100 tooth-months with ProRoot MTA (95% CI: 0.02-0.71) and 0.11/100 tooth-months with Dycal (95% CI: 0.001-0.60). The incidence of unfavourable outcomes was 0.05/100 (95% CI: 0.001-0.30) and 2.38/100 (95% CI: 0.29-8.34) tooth-months in teeth with small (<5 mm(2) ) and large (>5 mm(2) ) pulp exposure areas, respectively.

Conclusions: Partial pulpotomy in teeth of young patients with reversible pulpitis, either using ProRoot MTA or Dycal, resulted in favourable treatment outcomes for up to 2 years. The incidence of unfavourable outcomes tended to be higher in teeth with pulp exposure areas larger than 5 mm(2) .

Keywords: calcium hydroxide; mineral trioxide aggregate; pulp exposure; pulpotomy.