Partial Pulpotomy in Immature Permanent Molars After Carious Exposures Using Different Hemorrhage Control and Capping Materials

Purpose: This study compared the outcome of partial pulpotomies with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or calcium hydroxide (CH) following hemorrhage control with 2.5 percent sodium hypochlorite (SH) or 0.9 percent sterile saline (SS) solutions in cariously exposed immature permanent molars. Methods: Following removal of two to three mm of the pulp at the exposure site, 80 Class I cavities were randomly allocated to four groups according to the hemorrhage control agent and pulp-capping material used: (1) group one—SH plus MTA; (2) group two—SS plus MTA; (3) group three—SH plus CH; (4) group four—SS plus CH. Glass ionomer cement was applied over the pulp-capping material, and the teeth were later restored with composite resin. The patients were recalled at six, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results: After 24 months, simultaneous radiographic and clinical success rates were 94.4 percent, 100 percent, 95 percent, and 100 percent for groups one to four, respectively (P>.05). No significant correlation was found between marginal integrity scores of restorations and partial pulpotomy failure (P>.05). Conclusions: Partial pulpotomy, performed with MTA or CH used as the pulp-capping material following hemostasis with SH or SS solutions, provided comparable and favorable outcomes in carious pulp exposures of immature permanent teeth.