Comparative Evaluation of Three Indirect Pulp Capping Materials in Primary Molars: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of indirect pulp capping in primary molars using 3 different materials. Methods: This double-blinded, randomized, active-controlled clinical trial was conducted at a single centre following ethical approval. Eighty-one children (4 to 9 years) with deep carious primary molars and reversible pulpitis were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n=27 each) - Group I (calcium hydroxide [Dycal®]), Group II (EndoSequence® Root Repair Material [ERRM] paste) and Group III (ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative™). A single operator performed all treatments and 2 blinded evaluators assessed clinical and radiographic outcomes at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Continuous variables were summarized as mean??standard deviation, while categorical variables were expressed as numbers and percentages. The chi-square test was used for comparing categorical data across groups. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All 3 materials demonstrated favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes. ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative™ showed the highest clinical (88.9%) and radiographic (92.6%) success rates, followed by ERRM paste and calcium hydroxide. However, the differences among the groups were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Calcium hydroxide, ERRM paste and ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative™ exhibited comparable and favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes as indirect pulp capping agents in primary molars.