ABSTRACT
AIM: To assess the outcome of full pulpotomy using Biodentine in permanent teeth with carious exposures and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-four permanent molar teeth with symptomatic vital pulps in 52 patients aged 19-69 years were included. Preoperative pulpal and periapical diagnosis was established. After informed consent, the tooth was anaesthetized, isolated using rubber dam and disinfected with 5% NaOCl before caries excavation; subsequently, the pulp was amputated to the level of the canal orifices. Haemostasis was achieved, and a 3-mm layer of Biodentine (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, France) was placed as the pulpotomy agent. Resin-modified glass-ionomer liner was placed and the tooth restored with either resin composite or amalgam, and a postoperative periapical radiograph exposed. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was completed at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Pain levels were scored preoperatively and 2 days post-treatment. RESULTS: Clinical signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis were established in all teeth, and periapical rarefaction was present in nine teeth. After 2 days, 93.8% reported complete relief of pain. At 6 months, 63 of 64 attended recall with 98.4% clinical and radiographic success. At 1 year, 59 of 63 attended recall, with 100% clinical and 98.4 radiographic success. Seven of eight cases with periapical rarefaction who attended recall had improvement in the periapical index (PAI) score. A hard tissue barrier was detected radiographically in four cases. CONCLUSION: Full pulpotomy using Biodentine was a successful treatment option for cariously exposed pulps in mature permanent molar teeth with clinical signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis, up to 1 year.
