Clinical and radiographical evaluation of single- versus multiple-visit pulpectomy treatment in primary teeth with apical periodontitis

Abstract

Context: This study highlights success rate as well as advantages and disadvantages of single- versus multiple-visit pulpectomy in children. Aims: This study was aimed to compare the success rate of single- and multiple-visit pulpectomy in primary teeth with apical periodontitis. Settings and Design: It was a randomized, double-blind study. The study was conducted in children with one or more restorable sixty primary molars with deep carious lesions and requiring pulpectomy in the age group of 4–8 years. Subjects and Methods: Selected teeth were divided into two groups of thirty each and treated either in single visit or multiple visits. Follow-up was done at the period of 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months and evaluated using Gutmann criteria. Statistical Analysis Used: The normality of data was checked by Shapiro–Wilk test. Intragroup comparison was made by using Friedman test and post hoc-Wilcoxon test. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for inter group comparison. Results: Clinical and radiographical success for both group showed statistically significant (P 0.05) was obtained when clinical outcome was compared between two groups. Although radiographical success for multiple-visit group is slightly more than the single-visit group at all time intervals, statistically it was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Single-visit can be considered a viable alternative to multiple-visit pulpectomy considering its various advantages, especially in children.