Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Pulpotomy in Teeth with Different Symptoms and Root Stages

March 11, 2025 updated by: Muhammed Alagöz

Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Prognosis of Pulpotomy Treatment Performed on Teeth with Different Symptoms and Stages of Root Development: a Retrospective Study

Pulpotomy is a vital pulp therapy (VPT) method used to maintain pulp vitality by removing inflamed or infected coronal pulp tissue while preserving the health and function of radicular pulp. This procedure supports root development in young permanent teeth and helps prevent long-term complications associated with apexogenesis.

Recent studies indicate that pulpotomy can achieve success rates exceeding 90%, even in cases of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, challenging traditional contraindications. Notably, this high success rate has been observed in both immature and mature permanent teeth, expanding the applicability of pulpotomy across different developmental stages.

Modern materials such as Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine™ have been widely adopted in regenerative dentistry due to their biocompatibility and superior sealing properties. These materials are used effectively in both immature and mature teeth, contributing to the long-term success of vital pulp therapy.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

This retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness of bioceramic materials such as Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine™ in the treatment of both reversible and irreversible pulpitis cases. The study compares the clinical survival rates of pulpotomy in teeth with mature and immature root structures and assesses long-term biological outcomes, including pulp healing, dentin bridge formation, and periapical healing. Additionally, the study aims to address gaps in the literature by providing retrospective data from our country and making it comparable with international standards.

Detailed Description

Study Objectives

To retrospectively analyze the effectiveness of bioceramic materials such as MTA and Biodentine™ in cases of reversible and irreversible pulpitis.

To compare the clinical survival rates of pulpotomy in teeth with mature and immature root structures.

To evaluate long-term biological outcomes based on criteria such as pulp healing, dentin bridge formation, and periapical healing.

To provide retrospective data from our country that can be compared with international standards, addressing gaps in the existing literature.

Clinical Procedure

The treatment protocol was performed by a single pediatric dentist. After local anesthesia, rubber dam isolation was applied to enhance visibility and maintain asepsis. The enamel, dentin, and pulp chamber roof were sequentially removed using ISO 021-023 diamond and steel round burs (NTI-Kahla GmbH, Kahla, Germany). The coronal pulp tissue was amputated up to the root canal orifices using a sterile sharp steel round bur. Hemostasis was achieved by applying a sterile cotton pellet soaked in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and saline solution.

Following hemostasis, the bioceramic materials were freshly mixed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A 2-3 mm thick layer of either MTA (Biofactor, Imicryl Dental, Konya, Turkey) or Biodentine™ (Septodont, France) was carefully applied to the pulp chamber floor. The material was then covered with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Ionoseal, VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven, Germany). Any excess material adhering to the cavity walls was removed using a steel round bur to ensure optimal adhesion of the restorative material and to prevent microleakage. The cavity walls were then etched with 35% orthophosphoric acid (Vococid, Voco, Germany), followed by the application of a dentin bonding agent (Futurabond-U, Voco, Germany). The final restoration was completed using a composite resin (Solare-X, GC, Tokyo, Japan) in a layering technique. Occlusal adjustments and polishing were performed in the same session.

Follow-up and Outcome Evaluation

Clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluations were conducted at an average of 24 months post-treatment. Clinical parameters such as spontaneous pain, nocturnal pain, vestibular swelling, pathological mobility, and percussion or palpation sensitivity were recorded before and after treatment to assess success.

Radiographic evaluations were performed using the Periapical Index (PAI) to assess periapical healing, and the presence of a dentin bridge was also examined in follow-up radiographs. Additionally, root development was assessed using the Moorrees Index in initial and follow-up radiographs.

This study provides valuable insight into the long-term effectiveness of pulpotomy in mature and immature teeth, contributing to the existing body of knowledge on vital pulp therapy.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

34

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Erzurum, Turkey, 25200
        • Atatürk University Faculty of Dentistry

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Mature and immature permanent teeth exposed to caries.
  • Teeth with reversible or irreversible clinical symptoms.
  • Periapical index (PAI) scores of 1 or 2 (indicating healthy or mildly inflamed periapical tissues) at baseline.
  • Patients without any systemic disorders.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Radiographic evidence of periradicular or interradicular lesions.
  • Presence of internal or external root resorption.
  • Patients with systemic conditions that may compromise healing, such as diabetes or immunosuppression.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Pulpotomy
In cases where pulp exposure exceeded 2 mm, the pulpotomy procedure was performed. The intervention commenced with the excision of the pulp chamber roof using a steel round bur. The coronal pulp tissue was then amputated at the level of the canal orifices utilizing a sterile sharp spoon excavator. Hemostasis was achieved by applying a sterile cotton pellet moistened with physiological saline for 3-5 minutes. Once hemostasis was confirmed, the cavity was further disinfected with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Subsequently, a 2 mm thick layer of mineral trioxide aggregate was placed over the pulp stump and covered with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. To enhance adhesion, the cavity walls were conditioned with 35% orthophosphoric acid following the removal of residual material using a steel round bur. After the application of a dentin bonding agent, the definitive restoration was completed with composite resin using an incremental layering technique.
This intervention involves performing pulpotomy using calcium silicate-based bioceramic materials, MTA and Biodentine™, in both mature and immature permanent teeth diagnosed with reversible or irreversible pulpitis. The study uniquely evaluates the long-term clinical and radiographic success of these materials by assessing pulp healing, dentin bridge formation, and periapical healing over a 24-month follow-up period. Additionally, this study compares clinical survival rates between mature and immature teeth, contributing to the growing body of evidence on the efficacy of pulpotomy in cases traditionally considered for root canal treatment. Unlike conventional pulpotomy studies, this research incorporates retrospective data analysis to align with international standards, addressing gaps in existing literature.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Clinical Success of Pulpotomy in Mature and Immature Permanent Teeth
Time Frame: 24 months
Clinical success was determined based on the absence of symptoms such as spontaneous pain, tenderness to percussion, swelling, sinus tract formation, and abnormal mobility. Teeth exhibiting normal function without signs of pulpal or periapical pathology during follow-up examinations were classified as clinically successful. Additionally, patient-reported outcomes, including the resolution of preoperative symptoms and continued functionality, were considered in the clinical assessment.
24 months
Radiographic Success of Pulpotomy in Mature and Immature Permanent Teeth
Time Frame: 24 months
Radiographic success was defined by the absence of periapical radiolucency, internal or external root resorption, and signs of pathological changes in the periradicular tissues. Teeth demonstrating a well-preserved root structure, maintained pulp space dimensions, and no evidence of progressive pathology on follow-up radiographs were considered radiographically successful. Consistent findings across multiple follow-up intervals further confirmed the stability of pulpal and periapical health post-pulpotomy.
24 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 25, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

January 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

March 3, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 7, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/13
  • atatürk üniversitesi (Other Identifier: Atatürk Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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