The effect of age and preoperative diagnosis on the outcome of partial and cervical pulpotomies in immature permanent teeth.

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of age and preoperative diagnosis on the outcomes of partial and cervical pulpotomies in immature permanent teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

51 immature teeth from patients aged 6-17 years who were treated according to a standardized protocol were included in the study. Teeth were divided into two groups: Group 1 (partial pulpotomy) and Group 2 (cervical pulpotomy). The choice between partial and cervical pulpotomy was determined by the ability to achieve hemostasis after 10 min using a sterilized cotton pellet soaked in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite.

RESULTS

The majority (63%) of patients were 6-9 years old. In the 13-17 years age group, only cervical pulpotomy was performed. A preoperative periapical radiolucency was observed in 15 teeth. Continued root development was more frequently observed after cervical pulpotomy (84%) compared to partial pulpotomy (56%), a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). A statistically significant correlation was found between early age and root development following vital pulp therapy (p < 0.01; CI 1.59-8.48; OR 3.18), as well as between age and periapical lesion repair (p < 0.05; CI 1.20-3.58; OR 1.91).

CONCLUSIONS

Age, the preoperative pulpal diagnosis, and the presence of periapical radiolucency significantly influence the success of pulpotomy in immature teeth.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The outcome of cervical pulpotomy is more favorable than partial pulpotomy. However, the frequent occurrence of a calcified bridge following cervical pulpotomy may impede future prosthetic intervention, specifically the placement of a post in teeth with significant coronal damage.