Overview

Preservation of pulp tissue would allow it to continue to exert its defensive and physiological functions and more tooth tissue would be preserved, leading to less weakening of the tooth. In addition, root canal treatment is a more complex therapeutic process that requires the use of more instruments, more time and more visits. To date, most clinical studies that have evaluated the success of pulpotomy treatments have been conducted on teeth with immature apexes. More studies are needed to evaluate VPT success in the permanent dentition in the long term.

In accordance with the above, the main objective of the study will be to determine the success of partial or total pulpotomy treatment in permanent teeth (>18 adults) with a closed apex and symptoms compatible with irreversible pulpitis. At the same time, the association of factors related to the patient, the treated tooth and specific treatment factors with the success of pulpotomies will be determined. On the other hand, the patient, perception and satisfaction with the treatment received will be evaluated.

All treatments (pulpotomies and restorations) will be carried out by the principal investigator.

After recording the preoperative data, clinical and radiographic examination, a diagnosis will be made according to the classification of Wolters and collaborators , which will also guide us in the choice of pulp treatment: PP o CP Partial pulpotomy or complete pulpotomy. The maximum pulp haemostasis time will be 10 minutes. In both treatments, in the same appointment, the definitive restoration of the tooth will be carried out.

The evaluations will be performed at one week, 3 , 6 and 12 months postoperatively. This evaluation shall be performed by an examiner who shall be different from the one performing the treatment.

The main outcome of the present study will be the determination of the success of the pulpotomies.

• Is vital pulp therapy a highly successful treatment for teeth with irreversible pulpitis?.

Outcome measure 1: Success rate of vital pulp therapy

• Do patients feel satisfied with this conservative pulp treatment? Outcome measure 2: Patient´s satisfaction with vital pulp therapy

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients over 18 years of age.
• Patients in good general health, ASA I or ASA II with no contraindications to contraindications to receive a TPV procedure under local anaesthesia.
• Tooth with symptomatology of pulpitis, both reversible and irreversible, to be determined by history of spontaneous pain, exacerbation of pain with heat and cold confirmed by the cold test and radiating pain.
• Tooth without signs of pulp necrosis and absence of sinus tract and abscess.
• Tooth in occlusion with antagonist tooth and without discomfort on chewing.
• Tooth that can be directly restored.
• Tooth with pocket depth and mobility within normal limits.
• Extent of the caries lesion greater than two thirds of the amelodentine distance or which tooth or the pulp has been exposed during caries removal.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with allergies or intolerance to any anaesthetic solution.
• Pregnant patients or patients who suspect pregnancy due to the impossibility of complementary radiographic tests cannot be carried out.
• Patients with systemic pathology that prevents the use of a vasoconstrictor or with a compromised immune system that may influence the response to treatment.
• Tooth with an immature apex.
• Tooth that is not restorable or not viable for preservation.
• Tooth with negative response to thermal sensitivity test or electrical test.
• Tooth in which haemostasis cannot be achieved after exposure of the pulp, or with a pulp, or with a haemostasis time exceeding 10 minutes, where there is no pulp bleeding or partial or complete tissue necrosis is observed.