Comparative Evaluation of Indirect vs. Direct Pulp Capping in Deep Carious Mandibular Molars

Vital pulp therapy has been traditionally recommended only in teeth with reversible pulpitis with no periapical pathologies or in teeth with either mechanical pulp exposure or recent traumatic exposure. Clinical symptoms such as characteristics, severity and intensity of pre-operative pain do not accurately talk about the status of the pulp inflammation and the depth of involvement. It has been demonstrated that there is no precise correlation between clinical symptoms and the histopathological status of the pulp, mainly in case of irreversible pulpitis, that might lead to a wrong diagnosis. Vitality tests such as cold test or electric pulp tests reveal only whether the pulp is responsive to respective stimuli or not. According to new Wolters pulpal clinical classification, Moderate pulpitis exhibit symptoms of prolonged reaction to cold, which can last for minutes, possibly percussion sensitive and spontaneous dull pain which corresponds to irreversible pulpitis. Vital pulp therapy is suggested to be the choice of treatment for such cases. It has been suggested that infection is often a cause of inflammation, an inflamed pulp should be able to heal if the source of infection is eliminated as in other body organs. Removal of trigger (i.e. caries) followed by application of biocompatible material which makes a good seal in a sterile environment has potential to allow for recovery and healing of the inflamed pulp tissue which is thought to be beyond recovery. Partial caries removal, which involves complete removal of carious dentine from the surrounding cavity walls, followed by the partial removal of infected dentin at the pulpal wall which reduce chances of pulp exposure followed by placement of medicament for Indirect pulp capping. Whereas during Complete caries removal, caries is completely removed from surrounding walls as well as on pulpal wall which increase the chances of pulp exposure followed by placement of medicament for Direct pulp capping procedure. Based on this premise, IPC can be considered as minimally invasive approach for the management of teeth with inflamed pulps in place of the conventional approach of direct pulp capping, partial pulpotomy or full pulpotomy in adults.

Research Question Does Indirect Pulp Capping have comparable outcome with Direct pulp capping after partial caries removal in deeply carious mature permanent molars with clinical signs indicative of moderate pulpitis? P (Population) - Deeply carious mature Permanent Mandibular molars with clinical signs indicative of moderate pulpitis I (Intervention) - Partial caries removal followed by Indirect pulp capping C (Comparison) - Complete caries removal followed by Direct pulp capping O (Outcome) - Assessment of clinical and radiographic success at 12 months follow up.

• To assess incidence and reduction in pain post operatively at every 24 hours till 1 week.

Inclusion criteria

• The patient should be ≥18 years of age.
• Restorable mature permanent 1st and 2nd Mandibular molars with deep caries (reaching inner quarter of dentine)
• Tooth should give positive response to pulp sensibility testing.
• Clinical diagnosis of moderate pulpitis.
• Radiographic finding of periapical index (PAI) score ≤2.
• Healthy periodontium (probing pocket depth ≤3 mm and mobility within normal limit).
• Pulp exposure after complete caries excavation.
• No pulp exposure after incomplete caries excavation

Exclusion criteria

• Teeth with immature roots.
• Pulp exposure after incomplete caries excavation.
• No pulp exposure after complete caries excavation.
• Bleeding could not be controlled in 5 minutes.
• Signs of pulpal necrosis, sinus tract, swelling, insufficient bleeding after pulp exposure.
• History of analgesic intake in previous 1 week, or antibiotic intake in 1 month.
• Internal/external resorption.
• Contributory medical history (alcoholism, smokers, diabetic, hypertension, drug dependency, Heart or valve disease, hepatitis, herpes, immunodeficiency (HIV), infectious diseases, kidney or liver, migraine)