Preserving primary molars affected by deep carious lesions remains one of the most critical challenges in pediatric dentistry.
When caries leads to pulp exposure, clinicians are often faced with a key therapeutic decision: pulpotomy or pulpectomy.
Both procedures aim to maintain the tooth until natural exfoliation, yet they differ significantly in biological approach, technical complexity, treatment time, and long-term outcomes.
The article “Survival analysis of pulpotomy versus pulpectomy in primary molars with carious pulp exposure: a retrospective cohort study” provides valuable evidence to guide this clinical decision.
Through a well-designed retrospective cohort analysis, the authors evaluate and compare the long-term survival rates of primary molars treated with pulpotomy versus pulpectomy, focusing on real-world clinical outcomes rather than short-term success alone.
This study is particularly relevant because it moves beyond traditional success criteria and applies survival analysis, offering a more robust understanding of how long treated teeth remain functional without signs of clinical or radiographic failure.
Factors such as treatment longevity, failure patterns, and the influence of pulpal diagnosis are examined, helping clinicians better assess which procedure offers the most predictable results under different clinical conditions.
For pediatric dentists, general practitioners, and postgraduate students, this research contributes meaningful insights into evidence-based pulp therapy, reinforcing the importance of selecting the most appropriate treatment based not only on immediate clinical presentation but also on expected long-term performance.
The findings have direct implications for daily clinical practice, treatment planning, patient communication, and minimally invasive dentistry principles in children.
👉 We invite pediatric dentists and dental professionals worldwide to read the full article in PDF format to explore the complete methodology, statistical analysis, and clinical conclusions that can help refine decision-making in vital pulp therapy for primary teeth.
