Direct Pulp Capping Versus Pulpotomy Using a Calcium Silicate‐Based Putty for Carious Pulp Exposures in Primary Molars: A Split Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial
Nessrin Taha, Dana Kharabsheh, Ola B. Al‐BataynehABSTRACT
Background
Direct pulp capping with calcium silicate‐based materials has gained attention as a minimally invasive treatment for carious pulp exposures in primary molars.
Aim
To compare the outcome of direct pulp capping and pulpotomy in primary molars with carious pulp exposure.
Design
A split‐mouth randomized clinical trial, 100 carious primary molars in children aged 4–9 years were included. After pulp exposure, teeth were randomly assigned to direct pulp capping or pulpotomy; a calcium silicate‐based putty (NeoPUTTY) was applied, and teeth were restored with glass ionomer cement and stainless‐steel crowns. Preoperative pain and baseline variables were recorded. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Results
At 3 months, 96 teeth evaluated, with one failure in the pulpotomy group. At 6 months (96% recall), nine teeth failed (5 pulpotomy, 4 direct pulp capping), with success rates of 89.6% and 91.7%, respectively ( p = 0.73). At 12 months (94% recall), seven failures occurred in each group, yielding identical success rates of 85.1% and survival rates of 93.6%. Preoperative factors were not associated with treatment outcomes.
Conclusion
Direct pulp capping demonstrated comparable short‐term outcomes to pulpotomy in cariously exposed primary molars.