Table 2.

PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Inclusion criteria

ASA I and II children between 2.5 and 10 years old.

At least 1 primary molar, with no reported symptoms or reversible pulpitis, that has vital carious pulp exposures and whose pulp bled upon entering the pulp chamber.

Teeth in which hemostasis could be achieved within 5 minutes with direct pressure via a dry sterile cotton pellet, prior to medicament/material placement.

No clinical symptoms or evidence of pulp degeneration, such as excessive bleeding from the root canal, history of swelling, clinical mobility, spontaneous pain, or sinus tracts.

No radiographic signs of internal or external root resorption, inter-radicular and/or periapical bone destruction, furcal radiolucency, or periodontal ligament space widening.

No more than one third physiologic root resorption.

Teeth had not previously been pulpally treated.

Teeth that were deemed to be restorable with posterior stainless steel crowns.

Patients who were able to cooperate for periapical radiographs.

Patients whose parents were committed to returning for at least 1 recall visit 6 months after the pulpotomy was completed.

Exclusion criteria

A primary molar with symptoms and signs consistent with irreversible pulpitis.

Lacking pretreatment or immediate post pulpotomy radiographs.

Lacking radiographs of diagnostic quality.

Premature loss of restoration.

Crowns with inadequately sealed margin or inappropriate seating.

Subjects who failed to return for follow-up.