Success of pulpotomy in the management of hyperplastic pulpitis

Hyperplastic pulpitis is a variety of chronic open pulpitis which is regarded as irreversible. This condition is usually treated by root canal treatment, unless coronal damage does not permit restoration, in which case extraction is indicated. In the present study, 24 permanent teeth of individuals, aged 10-22 years and diagnosed as hyperplastic pulpitis were treated by pulpotomy using an atraumatic surgical technique with calcium hydroxide alone. The treatment was successful in 22 teeth, according to the following criteria: absence of clinical symptoms, absence of any intraradicular or periradicular radiographic pathological changes, presence of dentine bridge detected by clinical examination and sometimes observed radiographically, and sensitivity to electrical stimulation. The follow-up examination ranged from 12 to 48 months. The high frequency of clinical healing in this study appears to justify recommending pulpotomy as the treatment regime in selected cases of chronic hyperplastic pulpitis.