Treatment of crown fractures with exposed pulps

Traumatic injuries are a common cause of pulpal damage in anterior teeth. Crown fractures with exposed pulps represent 18 percent to 20 percent of the traumatic injuries that involve the teeth. This clinical study comprised 36 patients, who were referred for 40 crown fractures with pulp exposures. There were 39 maxillary incisors and one mandibular incisor. The partial pulpotomy (Cvek's technique) consists of amputating exposed pulp tissue to a depth of 1 to 2 mm below the point of pulp exposure. After partial pulpotomy, the pulpal wound is covered with calcium hydroxide; and the cavity is sealed with glass ionomer cement or a composite crown. Clinical and radiographic assessment of the hard-tissue barrier was done after three months. Patients were monitored for periods ranging from one to 12 years. The purpose of this clinical report was to evaluate Cvek's technique in the management of coronal fractures with pulp exposures and the long-term outcome of the partial pulpotomy in immature and mature teeth. In virtually all of the cases, this treatment was successful. Careful partial pulpotomy remains a prudent treatment choice with proper case selection.