Analysis of Pulp Capping Procedures Done in Permanent Molars in A University Setting - A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Direct and indirect pulp capping are the treatment choices to maintain integrity and health of dental pulp.
Direct pulp capping is used when pulp is visibly exposed due to caries, trauma or iatrogenic causes. Indirect
pulp capping generally performed on teeth with deep cavity preparations with or without caries remaining.
Many authors have reported regarding pulp capping materials. The aim of this retrospective study was
to analyse the practice of pulp capping procedure based on age, gender, tooth number and pulp capping
materials. Data regarding pulp capping procedures that were recorded between June 2019 to March 2020
were retrieved from the patients management software of Saveetha Dental College, Chennai. Data that
was retrieved then evaluated by 2 viewers. Cases with incomplete documentation or double entries were
excluded from this study. Data from the Excel sheet was imported to SPSS for statistical analysis. Chisquare test was done to assess the association between age, gender, tooth types, type of pulp capping and
pulp capping material. This study showed a statistically significant difference between age and tooth number;
tooth number and pulp capping materials ( p<0.05). It was seen that lower molars underwent significantly
more pulp capping procedure in the age group of 18-30 years. In lower molars, calcium hydroxide was the
widely used pulp capping material.