Outcomes of Pulpotomy and Root Canal Treatment in Teeth With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis

Overview

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of total pulpotomy (TP), radicular pulpotomy (RP), and root canal treatment (RCT) in mandibular premolar and/or molar teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, with respect to postoperative pain control and treatment success.Materials and Methods:A total of 99 mandibular premolar and molar teeth will be included in this study. The teeth will be randomly allocated into three groups (n = 33 per group): total pulpotomy, radicular pulpotomy, and root canal treatment.Root canal treatment will be performed using standardized endodontic protocols.Total pulpotomy will be carried out to the level of the canal orifices, followed by hemostasis achieved with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). A 3-mm-thick layer of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) will be placed as the pulpotomy material.Radicular pulpotomy will be performed by removing the pulp tissue a few millimeters apical to the canal orifices. Hemostasis will be achieved using 2.5% NaOCl, and a 3-mm-thick layer of MTA will be placed as the pulpotomy agent.All treated teeth will be restored with glass ionomer cement, followed by a composite resin restoration.Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the following time points: preoperatively, and at 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days postoperatively. Clinical and radiographic evaluations will be performed at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess treatment success and periapical health.

Clinical Intervention: Local anesthesia will be achieved using an inferior alveolar nerve block with 4% articaine containing 1:100,000 epinephrine. Following rubber dam isolation, all carious tissue will be removed non-selectively using a sterile high-speed diamond bur under water cooling. Caries removal will be completed with a sterile round bur in a low-speed handpiece. Subsequently, treatment will be carried out according to the protocol assigned to the patient's group: total pulpotomy, radicular pulpotomy, or root canal treatment.Group I Total Pulpotomy: After access cavity preparation, pulp vitality will be visually confirmed. The coronal pulp tissue will be completely removed using a sterile high-speed diamond bur with copious water irrigation. The exposed pulp surface will be irrigated with 5 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Hemostasis will be attempted by placing a cotton pellet moistened with 2.5% NaOCl onto the pulp chamber floor. If necessary, this procedure will be repeated for up to 10 minutes. The time required to achieve hemostasis will be recorded. Group II Radicular Pulpotomy: Inflamed coronal pulp tissue will be removed using a large sterile round bur mounted on a high-speed handpiece with air-water spray, extending to the level of the canal orifices. The canal orifices will be identified, and the depth of the pulp chamber will be measured using a Williams periodontal probe. A sterile long-shank round carbide bur will be marked with an endodontic file stopper corresponding to the pulp chamber depth plus 3 mm. Radicular pulp tissue will then be removed to a depth of approximately 2-3 mm apical to the canal orifices.Small cotton pellets moistened with 2.5% NaOCl will be individually placed into each canal orifice at the level of pulp excision to achieve hemostasis. If necessary, this step will be repeated for up to 10 minutes. The time required to achieve hemostasis will be recorded.MTA Application (Groups I and II): After achieving hemostasis, the pulp chamber will be irrigated with 5 mL of 2.5% NaOCl. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) will be mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and placed as a 2-3 mm thick layer over the pulp chamber floor. The material will be gently condensed using a moist cotton pellet, after which a moist cotton pellet will be placed over the MTA for 10 minutes.Group III Root Canal Treatment: Following access cavity preparation, pulp vitality will be visually confirmed. The canal orifices will be located, and the working length (WL) will be determined using a size 10 K-file and an electronic apex locator, then verified radiographically. Chemomechanical preparation will be performed to the working length using Reciproc files. During instrumentation, root canals will be irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl after every three pecking motions. The final irrigation protocol will consist of: 5 mL of 17% EDTA for 1 minute,5 mL of distilled water, 5 mL of 2.5% NaOCl maintained in the canal for 1 minute, 5 mL of distilled water to neutralize NaOCl.After irrigation, the canals will be dried with sterile paper points and obturated in a single visit using a calcium silicate-based sealer. Final Restoration: A 2-3 mm layer of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) will be placed over the MTA and light-cured for 20 seconds. RMGIC will also be applied in teeth that have undergone root canal treatment. All teeth will then be restored with resin composite. The rubber dam will be removed, occlusal adjustments will be performed, and the restorations will be finished and polished during the same appointment. Postoperative periapical radiographs will be obtained immediately after treatment. Patients will be recalled for follow-up examinations at 3, 6, and 12 months, or earlier if symptoms occur. Postoperative Pain Management: Patients will be prescribed 400 mg ibuprofen tablets to be taken as needed. They will be instructed to record the frequency of analgesic intake in writing. In cases of severe postoperative pain unresponsive to analgesics, patients will be instructed to contact the operator immediately. Evaluation Criteria and Follow-up Examination Pain Assessment: Patients will record their pain intensity preoperatively and at 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days postoperatively using an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents unbearable pain. Pain scores will be documented by the patients on standardized pain record forms. Clinical and Radiographic Follow-up: Clinical and radiographic evaluations will be performed at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess treatment success.Clinical success criteria will include: Absence of spontaneous pain or discomfort beyond the initial postoperative period, no increased sensitivity to thermal stimuli, tooth mobility not exceeding Grade I, healthy surrounding soft tissues, with no swelling or sinus tract, negative response to percussion and palpation tests. Radiographic success criteria will include: No increase in Periapical Index (PAI) scores at follow-up ,absence of intra- or extraradicular pathology, absence of internal or external root resorption. Additional Evaluations: Restorative integrity will be assessed at each follow-up visit, and the need for re-restoration will be recorded, pulp sensibility will be evaluated using cold testing and an electric pulp test at all follow-up appointments.