Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07696702

Comparative Evaluation of Direct Pulp Capping Between Deep and Extremely Deep Caries in Mature Permanent Mandibular Molars .

The aim of the study is to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of direct pulp capping for deep and extremely deep caries in mature permanent mandibular molars with reversible pulpitis. Primary objective of the study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of direct pulp capping for deep and extremely deep caries in mature permanent mandibular molars with reversible pulpitis. Secondary objective of the study is to evaluate and compare postoperative pain following direct pulp capping for deep and extremely deep caries in mature permanent mandibular molars with reversible pulpitis. Subjects of age group 18 - 40 yrs will be included and divided into two groups 1) Permanent mature molars with deep carious lesion 2) Permanent mature molars with extremely deep carious lesion.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

TITLE-Comparative evaluation of direct pulp capping between deep and extremely deep caries in mature permanent mandibular molars with reversible pulpitis. PICO P (Population) -Mature permanent mandibular molars with clinical signs of reversible pulpitis. I (Intervention) - Direct pulp capping in teeth with extremely deep carious lesion. C (Comparison) - Direct pulp capping in teeth with deep carious lesion. O (Outcome) - 1. Assessment of clinical success at 7 days, 6 months, 12 months and radiographic success at 6 and 12 months of follow up. To assess pain experience at preoperative and post operatively at 24 hours intervals for one week. Direct pulp capping is considered as the most conservative procedure to treat mechanically or traumatically exposed pulp. In this procedure, biomaterial is directly applied on the exposed pulp. According to depth of caries, carious lesion has been classified as deep caries (reaching inner quarter of dentine) and extremely deep caries (extending through entire dentine thickness). Various studies on direct pulp capping in deep carious lesions with reversible pulpitis have reported success rates ranging from 77.3% to 100%. A prospective study by demonstrated a 95.2% success rate for direct pulp capping with extremely deep carious lesions and reversible pulpitis in young individuals. A randomized clinical trial , which included both deep and extremely deep carious lesions, reported a direct pulp capping success rate of 81.3%. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted that the depth of caries penetration is a critical factor that need to be considered when evaluating the outcomes of direct pulp capping in cariously exposed pulps. Currently, there is a lack of clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of direct pulp capping in cases of deep and extremely deep caries presenting with reversible pulpitis. Hence, the present trial is designed to assess differences in clinical and radiographic outcomes of direct pulp capping between deep and extremely deep carious lesions in mature permanent teeth diagnosed with reversible pulpitis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • The patient should be 18-40 years of age.
  • Patients with deep and extremely deep caries in permanent mandibular molars.
  • Deep caries lesion -Reaching the inner quarter of dentine on radiograph
  • Extremely deep caries lesion - Caries penetrating the entire thickness of dentin on radiograph.
  • Reversible pulpitis will be diagnosed clinically based on discomfort experienced by the participant when a stimulus such as cold or sweet is applied and goes away within a couple of seconds following removal of stimulus, with no significant radiographic changes in the periapical region of the suspect tooth and pain experienced is not spontaneous.
  • Tooth should give positive response to pulp sensibility testing.
  • Bleeding can be controlled with in 8 minutes.
  • Radiographic finding of periapical index (PAI) score ≤2.
  • Healthy periodontium (probing pocket depth ≤3 mm and mobility within normal limit).

Exclusion criteria

  • Teeth with immature roots.
  • Internal/external resorption.
  • Patient experience spontaneous pain.
  • Negative response to vitality testing
  • No pulp exposure after complete caries excavation.
  • Signs of pulpal necrosis, insufficient bleeding after pulp exposure, sinus tract, swelling.
  • Bleeding could not be controlled in 8 minutes.
  • Pregnant women
  • Contributory medical history (alcoholism, smokers, diabetic, hypertension, drug dependency, Heart or valve disease, hepatitis, herpes, immunodeficiency diseases , infectious diseases, kidney or liver, migraine)

Treatment and study plan

Direct pulp capping in extremely deep carious lesion.

Procedure

After pulp exposure, pulp wound will be irrigated with 3%NaOCl, and bleeding will be controlled by placing a cotton pellet soaked with 3%NaOCl over the pulpal wound for every 2 minutes till. Hemostasis will be achieved with 3% NaOCl .The time used to control bleeding will be recorded for each tooth. Teeth with excessive uncontrollable bleeding even after 8 mins will be excluded from the study; however, definite treatment will be provided to the patient. Size of exposure will be measured. After that, ProRoot MTA of 2-3 mm thickness will be applied over the lesion followed by the application of layer of RMGIC. Then the tooth will be permanently restored with composite resin. After restoration, a postoperative periapical radiograph will be taken using a digital imaging system for comparative evaluation after 6 months and 12 months follow up.

Direct pulp capping in deep carious lesion.

Procedure

After pulp exposure, pulp wound will be irrigated with 3%NaOCl, and bleeding will be controlled by placing a cotton pellet soaked with 3%NaOCl over the pulpal wound for every 2 minutes. Hemostasis will be achieved with 3% NaOCl . The time used to control bleeding will be recorded for each tooth. Teeth with excessive uncontrollable bleeding even after 8 mins will be excluded from the study; however, definite treatment will be provided to the patient. Size of exposure will be measured. After that, ProRoot MTA of 2-3 mm thickness will be applied over the lesion followed by the application of layer of RMGIC. Then the tooth will be permanently restored with composite resin. After restoration, a postoperative periapical radiograph will be taken using a digital imaging system for comparative evaluation after 6 months and 12 months follow up.

Primary outcomes

  1. Success rate at 12 months

    Time frame: 12 months

    Criteria for success:- Clinical: 1. Absence of signs and symptoms of spontaneous pain or pain on stimulus and discomfort except for the first few days after treatment. 2. No tenderness to palpation or percussion and the tooth is functional. 3. Normal mobility and probing pocket depth. 4. Absence of associated soft tissue swelling, sinus or fistula. Radiographic: - 1. Absence of any periapical or interradicular radiolucency. 2. Complete radiographic healing (Periapical index score 1 or 2 ). 3. Absence of internal and external root resorption Tooth will be considered successful when all the above parameters are met.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Postoperative pain

    Time frame: Baseline and at 24 hours, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7 after the treatment

    Post Operative Pain To assess incidence and intensity of pain postoperatively at every 24 hours till 7 days using Visual analogue Scale of 0 to 100 millimeter line. Score 0 means no pain and Score100 means maximum pain. To assess incidence and intensity of pain postoperatively at every 24 hours till 7 days using Visual analogue Scale of 0 to 100 millimeter line. Score 0 means no pain and Score 100 means maximum pain.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Dr. Vinay Kumar, MDS

CONTACT

[email protected]

8901149107

Dr. Vineeta Yadav, PG Student

CONTACT

[email protected]

08209485968

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences Rohtak

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Evaluation of Direct Pulp Capping Between Deep and Extremely Deep Caries in Mature Permanent Mandibular Molars With Reversible Pulpitis: A Prospective Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Jul 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 28, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.