The effect of age and preoperative diagnosis on the outcome of partial and cervical pulpotomies in immature permanent teeth

Objectives: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of age and preoperative diagnosis on the outcomes of partial and cervical pulpotomies in immature permanent teeth. Materials and methods: 51 immature teeth from patients aged 6–17 years who were treated according to a standardized protocol were included in the study. Teeth were divided into two groups: Group 1 (partial pulpotomy) and Group 2 (cervical pulpotomy). The choice between partial and cervical pulpotomy was determined by the ability to achieve hemostasis after 10 min using a sterilized cotton pellet soaked in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Results: The majority (63%) of patients were 6–9 years old. In the 13–17 years age group, only cervical pulpotomy was performed. A preoperative periapical radiolucency was observed in 15 teeth. Continued root development was more frequently observed after cervical pulpotomy (84%) compared to partial pulpotomy (56%), a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). A statistically significant correlation was found between early age and root development following vital pulp therapy (p < 0.01; CI 1.59–8.48; OR 3.18), as well as between age and periapical lesion repair (p < 0.05; CI 1.20–3.58; OR 1.91). Conclusions: Age, the preoperative pulpal diagnosis, and the presence of periapical radiolucency significantly influence the success of pulpotomy in immature teeth. Clinical relevance: The outcome of cervical pulpotomy is more favorable than partial pulpotomy. However, the frequent occurrence of a calcified bridge following cervical pulpotomy may impede future prosthetic intervention, specifically the placement of a post in teeth with significant coronal damage.