Pulp exposure occurrence and outcomes after 1- or 2-visit indirect pulp therapy vs complete caries removal in primary and permanent molars.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine whether 1- or 2-visit indirect pulp therapy (IPT) is more successful and to determine if the operator can successfully decide when to stop removing caries without exposing the pulp.


METHODS
A total of 154 teeth (94 primary second molars and 60 young permanent first molars) were included in the study from a total of 123 4- to 15-year-old patients. The teeth had deep carious lesions but lacked the preoperative signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpitis. The teeth were randomly selected and treated either with 1-visit IPT, 2-visit IPT, or direct complete excavation (DCE). Follow-up examinations were conducted on the teeth over 1 year at 3-month intervals.


RESULTS
The pulp was exposed in 12 teeth (22%) treated by DCE, whereas 3 teeth (6%) were treated by 1-visit IPT and 4 teeth (8%) with 2-visit IPT. A statistically significant difference was found between IPT and DCE groups in terms of pulp exposure (P<.05). The teeth without pulp exposure showed normal clinical and radiographic conditions during the 1-year follow-up, except for 3 primary teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
Indirect pulp therapy in both primary and young permanent teeth can be used successfully with a 1- or 2-visit approach.
Orhan
Ayse I
AI
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. isilcihan@yahoo.com
Oz
Firdevs T
FT
Orhan
Kaan
K
D000293:Adolescent; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D020770:Compomers / Q000737:chemistry; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D003736:Dental Cavity Lining; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000379:methods*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003794:Dental Restoration, Temporary; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D011672:Pulpotomy; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000737:chemistry
D020770:Compomers; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide