Survival of primary molars with pulpotomy interventions: public oral health practice-based study in Helsinki

To assess long-term survival of pulpotomized primary molars and factors related to the survival of the teeth.

This retrospective longitudinal study was based on electronic dental health records of children who attended public health service. Eligible children were <12 years and had a pulpotomy procedure code in their dental treatment history. Data were obtained in the period between 2002 and 2016. Chi-squared test, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to assess for statistical differences. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to create survival estimates, and the log-rank test was performed to compare differences in survival distributions. A multivariate Cox regression was conducted, and hazard ratios were calculated to estimate the hazard rate for failure.

Of interventions, 40% were registered in children 3-6 years of age; 56% were boys. Mean estimated survival of such molars was 82 months (SEM = 0.6) and differed by dental operator's work setting and choice of restorative materials used after pulpotomy intervention. Using a stainless steel crown (SSC) to restore pulp-intervened primary molars had the strongest effect on survival (111 months with SEM = 1.8), followed by if the intervention was performed by a specialist or specializing dentist in paediatric dentistry (99 months with SEM = 2.6).

The estimated survival time of pulpotomized primary molars is affected by dental operator-related factors, which should be considered in management of extensively carious primary molars of paediatric patients, both at the clinical and organizational decision-making levels. An increased focus on the use of SSC is recommended to be in the learning objectives of dental education programs.