[Clinical and radiographic follow up examination on direct pulp capping in primary teeth]

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate direct pulp capping in primary teeth with calcium hydroxide agents. All utilized datas were selected from all the charts of the 3,675 patients at Pediatric Dentistry clinic of the School of Dentistry, Hiroshima University. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The number of all primary teeth where direct pulp capping, pulpotomy and pulpectomy were performed, was 2,511, and direct pulp capping was performed on 124 primary teeth (4.9%). Out of the 124 primary teeth, 100 were clinically evaluated. 2) At the time of the final follow up examination for each treated tooth, the ratio of teeth judged as being clinically successful were 94 (94.0%) and 6 (6.0%) as being unsuccessful. In the first year after treatment, the majority of unsuccessful cases were found. 3) We had many unsuccessful cases of anterior teeth on which composite resin and glassinomer cement had been filled after direct pulp capping. 4) Of 6 teeth judged as being clinically unsuccessful, 2 showed spontaneous pain, 1 discoloration of the tooth, 1 gingival swelling and 2 abscess formation. 5) Out of 100 primary teeth in the clinical examination, 66 became available for radiographic evaluation, and the ratio of teeth judged as being successful were 58 (87.9%) and 8 (12.1%) as being unsuccessful. During the two years following the treatment, we found most of unsuccessful cases.