Vital Pulp Therapy vs. Root Canal Treatment in Mature Teeth With Irreversible Pulpitis

Universidad Central de Venezuela

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pulpitis; Root Canal Therapy; Pulpitis - Irreversible; Pulpotomy

Treatments: Procedure: VPT Group and RCT Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07355140

UCVenezuela

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study was designed as a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with parallel groups and double blinding, following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki for human experimentation and in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Faculty of Dentistry, Central University of Venezuela

Forty-six patients were enrolled and evenly assigned to two groups (VPT group: Vital Pulp Therapy Group; RCT Group: Root canal treatment group); 43 completed the 12-month follow-up (22 in the VPT group and 20 in the RCT group).

Patients were assigned to the experimental group (VPT) or control group (RCT) using a block randomization method (block size = 4). The randomization sequence was kept in sealed envelopes and revealed by a team member not involved in the study.

Clinical Procedures:

Preoperative periapical radiographs were taken using the parallel cone technique for both groups, and bitewing radiographs were additionally obtained for the experimental group. All procedures were performed under local anesthesia with 3% mepivacaine (inferior alveolar nerve block for mandibular teeth and infiltration for maxillary teeth) and rubber dam isolation.

* Experimental Group (VPT): A 10 mL blood sample was collected to obtain PRF following Choukroun's protocol. Caries removal was performed non-selectively using sterile carbide burs at high speed with water cooling. After pulp exposure, passive irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl was performed. Inflamed pulp tissue was gradually removed under magnification using a fine-grit diamond bur until vascular, slightly bleeding tissue was observed. Hemostasis was achieved by gentle pressure with a sterile dry cotton pellet; if bleeding persisted, additional tissue removal was performed for up to 15 minutes. In some cases, full pulpotomy was required. PRF was compressed and trimmed to cover the exposed pulp tissue, then sealed with 2-3 mm of EndoSequence BC putty. The cavity was restored with self-curing glass ionomer and definitive composite resin.

* Control Group (RCT): After caries removal, access cavity preparation was performed, and working length was determined using an electronic apex locator (Root ZX; J Morita, Irvine, CA). Root canals were instrumented with nickel-titanium rotary files (.04 taper) up to three sizes beyond the first file, with resistance. Irrigation was performed with 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA. Obturation was completed using lateral compaction with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. The access cavity was sealed with glass ionomer and restored with composite resin.

Enrollment: 43 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 26 to 61 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Posterior teeth with closed apices.
• Deep carious lesions radiographically close to the pulp.
• Symptoms of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (spontaneous and/or sharp pain, localized or referred, provoked and persistent to thermal stimuli).
• Teeth restored with direct restorations.

Exclusion criteria

• Subgingival caries or restorations.
• Moderate or severe periodontitis.
• Internal or external resorption.
• Calcification of the pulp chamber or root canals.
• Uncontrolled pulpal bleeding within 15 minutes.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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43 participants in 2 patient groups

Vital Pulp Therapy Group (VPT Group)

Experimental group

Description:

A 10 mL blood sample was collected to obtain PRF following Choukroun's protocol. Caries removal was performed non-selectively using sterile carbide burs at high speed with water cooling. After pulp exposure, passive irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl was performed. Inflamed pulp tissue was gradually removed under magnification using a fine-grit diamond bur until vascular, slightly bleeding tissue was observed. Hemostasis was achieved by gentle pressure with a sterile dry cotton pellet; if bleeding persisted, additional tissue removal was performed for up to 15 minutes. In some cases, full pulpotomy was required. PRF was compressed and trimmed to cover the exposed pulp tissue, then sealed with 2-3 mm of EndoSequence BC putty. The cavity was restored with self-curing glass ionomer and definitive composite resin.

Treatment:

Procedure: VPT Group and RCT Group

Root Canal Treatment Group (RCT Group)

Active Comparator group

Description:

After caries removal, access cavity preparation was performed, and working length was determined using an electronic apex locator (Root ZX; J Morita, Irvine, CA). Root canals were instrumented with nickel-titanium rotary files (.04 taper) up to three sizes beyond the first file, with resistance. Irrigation was performed with 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA. Obturation was completed using lateral compaction with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. The access cavity was sealed with glass ionomer and restored with composite resin.

Treatment:

Procedure: VPT Group and RCT Group