Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
07:07
Development of a Direct Pulp-capping Model for the Evaluation of Pulpal Wound Healing and Reparative Dentin Formation in Mice
Published on: January 12, 2017
Short-Term Outcomes of Full Pulpotomy Compared With Root Canal Treatment for Irreversible Pulpitis: The PROVE Study
I A El Karim1, H F Duncan2, S G Craig1
1School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
International Endodontic Journal
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Root canal treatment (RCT) and pulpotomy both relieve pain for symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIRP). RCT offers significantly greater pain relief and reduced analgesic use compared to pulpotomy, with low early failure rates for both procedures.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIRP) affects numerous patients, necessitating effective treatment.
- Pulpotomy and root canal treatment (RCT) are common interventions, but direct comparisons of short-term outcomes are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the short-term outcomes of pulpotomy versus RCT in teeth with SIRP.
- To analyze postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, and early failure rates.
Main Methods:
- A pooled analysis of data from randomized trials conducted across eight countries.
- Standardized clinical protocols and outcome measures were used, including pain assessment (Numeric Rating Scale) and analgesic consumption.
- Early failure was defined as the need for additional intervention within 4 weeks.
Main Results:
- Both pulpotomy and RCT significantly reduced pain over time (p < 0.0001).
- RCT demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in pain intensity and reduced analgesic use compared to pulpotomy.
- Early failure rates were low but significantly higher in the pulpotomy group (5.2%) versus the RCT group (0.5%).
Conclusions:
- Both pulpotomy and RCT are effective for managing SIRP in the short term.
- RCT provides superior pain relief and reduced analgesic requirements compared to pulpotomy.
- The PROVE study offers robust evidence supporting RCT's efficacy for SIRP.