Vital pulp therapy of permanent mature teeth

Aim: Vital pulp therapy (VPT) has been recently suggested as an alternative clinical procedure to treat symptomatic mature permanent teeth presenting deep caries lesions, to maintain the pulp vitality over time and to avoid or post-pone root canal therapy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to report cases of pulpotomy in mature permanent teeth with reversible pulpitis and to propose this technique as a viable alternative to traditional endodontic treatment.

Case series: The present case series was reported following Preferred Reporting items for Observational studies in Endodontics (PROBE) guidelines. Eight systemically healthy subjects presenting deep caries lesions approximating/involving the pulp of mature permanent teeth and with signs and symptoms of reversible pulpitis, underwent full pulpotomy using hydraulic calcium-silicate based cement. After final restorations, dental elements were clinically and radiographically followed-up for different time intervals (6 to 12 months). An overall clinical and radiographical success rate of 100% was reported up to 12 months.

Conclusions: Within the limitation of the present study, it could be concluded that full pulpotomy, should be considered as a valid non-invasive treatment in mature permanent teeth with signs and symptoms of reversible pulpitis. However, a larger sample size and a longer follow-up period are needed to confirm the preliminary obtained results.