Partial caries removal increases the survival of permanent tooth: a 14-year case report

Since cases of deep caries lesions may result in dental extraction due to any absence of endodontic services, and considering the advantages of conservative treatment, partial caries removal can be a viable alternative to the treatment of these lesions.

During the clinical examination, generalised caries lesions were observed in a 6-year-old boy. In the maxillary right first permanent molar (tooth 16), without sensitivity to percussion and/or spontaneous pain, partial caries removal of deep caries was performed being careful to avoid pulpal exposure, followed by capping with calcium hydroxide cement and restoration using glass ionomer cement.

After 14 years, the success of the treatment was observed by the tooth being symptom-free, the caries arrested and healthy on periapical radiograph examination even though the restoration had been lost. Endodontic treatment was not considered necessary and the dental survival time was increased, keeping the pulp vitality and absence of apical pathologies. Therefore, a restoration with Z350 resin composite was performed to return masticatory function to the tooth.

Partial caries removal increased the dental survival time, avoiding the necessity of endodontic treatment and early dental loss.