The effect of mineral trioxide aggregate as a direct pulp capping agent in permanent teeth

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: Direct pulp capping is a procedure which aims at protecting pulp vitality. When the dental pulp is exposed as a result of trauma, caries or by the dentist preparing for a deep restoration, then, it can be capped with a biocompatible material. It is expected that this procedure was allowed the pulp to heal normally and regenerate reparative dentine, thus preventing the need for more extensive and expensive root canal treatment (RCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 86 teeth of 85 patients diagnosed with reversible pulpitis were included in this study. After administration of local anesthesia, teeth were isolated with rubber dam. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was mixed according to manufacturers' instructions and 1–2 mm of MTA was placed over the pulpal exposure with a plastic filling instrument. All patients were scheduled for routine recall visits after 1, 3, and 6 months to monitor for pain on visual analog scale. All these readings were recorded on pro forma. The collected data were entered into SPSS version 19 and analyzed accordingly. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables like age. Frequency and percentage were calculated for qualitative variables such as the efficacy of MTA and gender. Stratification with respect to age and gender was done. Poststratification Chi-square test was applied. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age of the patients was 37.59 ± 10.88 years. There were 30 (35.29%) male and 55 (64.71%) female. The effectiveness of MTA as a direct pulp capping material in cariously exposed mature permanent teeth was observed in 87.06% (74/85). Conclusion: Taking into consideration, the results of this study, it seems that when an exposure site is immediately sealed with MTA, the prognosis is promising. We found success rate of 87.06%. MTA can induce the formation of reparative dentine thus allow the pulp to heal normally and maintain pulp's vitality and regenerative potential so the need of RCT can be avoided.