Pulpotomy in Carious Permanent Mature Teeth: Pulp Survival and Risk Factors

Healthy patients ≥ 21 years old were recruited with informed consent. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic and asymptomatic periodontally sound teeth, positive response to pulp sensibility tests, pulp exposure by caries with bleeding, haemostasis achieved within 10 minutes and normal apical tissues. Under local anaesthesia and rubber dam isolation, caries was removed before pulpotomy. Pain complaint, clinical and radiographic data were collected during recalls for up to 3 years.

Inclusion criteria

Patient factors:

• Male and female at least 21 years of age
• Healthy and ambulant
• Mild diseases only and without substantive functional limitations
• Able to return for scheduled recalls

Tooth factors:

• Deep caries leading to pulp exposure
• With or without pre-operative spontaneous and/or aggravated pain
• Positive response to Cold and Electric Pulp Tests
• Positive bleeding on pulp exposure
• Haemostasis within 10 minutes
• Intact and continuous periodontal ligament space and dental lamina dura on radiograph

Exclusion criteria

Patient factors:

• Younger than 21 years of age
• Pregnant female
• Poorly controlled systemic diseases e.g. diabetes mellitus, hypertension

Tooth factors:

• Extensive tooth structure loss requiring post and core retained restoration
• Uncontrolled periodontal disease
• Cracked tooth
• Traumatized tooth
• Haemostasis not achieved within 10 minutes