Treatment Outcomes of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Pulpotomy in Vital Permanent Teeth with Carious Pulp Exposure: The Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to illustrate the treatment outcomes of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy in vital permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure.

METHODS: MTA pulpotomy was performed in 66 vital permanent teeth with carious pulp exposure including teeth with signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpitis and the presence of periapical radiolucency. Patients were assessed for clinical and radiographic outcomes by 2 examiners. The relationship between treatment outcomes and factors was analyzed by means of univariate analysis and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: Fifty patients (a total of 55 teeth) attended the follow-up examination. The age of the patients ranged from 7-68 years old (mean = 29 years old). For the follow-up period as far as 62 months, 48 teeth showed successful outcomes (success rate = 87.3%). Teeth with clinical signs of irreversible pulpitis and the presence of periapical radiolucency could be treated successfully by MTA pulpotomy with success rates of 84% and 76%, respectively.Three of 7 failed cases required pulpectomy after MTA pulpotomy to relieve painful pulpitis. Four other failed cases were asymptomatic, and failure was detected from radiographic examination. The relationship between treatment outcomes and treatment factors could not be detected statistically.

CONCLUSIONS: Teeth with carious pulp exposure can be treated successfully by MTA pulpotomy. Clinical signs of irreversible pulpitis and the presence of periapical radiolucency should not be considered as a contraindication for pulpotomy.