A one-year follow-up of partial pulpotomy and calcium hydroxide capping in primary molars.

Partial pulpotomy and capping with calcium hydroxide was performed in 93 lower primary molars. The pulpal diagnosis was chronic coronal pulpitis. The amputation was done with a gentle technique, using high speed and diamond burs. Calcium hydroxide was applied to the wound surface without any intermediate layer of blood clot. The cavity was sealed with slow-setting zinc oxide-eugenol cement, phosphate cement and silver amalgam. The teeth were followed clinically and roentgenologically. After one year 67 successful endodontic treatments and 14 failures were registered. The remaining 12 teeth were lost for reasons unconnected with the endodontic treatment. The frequency of successful treatments, estimated with the aid of a modified life table method, was 83%. Partial pulpotomy thus proved favorable compared to traditional coronal pulpotomy and should therefore be considered the treatment of choice in primary molars with chronic coronal pulpitis provided a gentle surgical technique is used and no blood clot is left between wound surface and calcium hydroxide.