A retrospective study of direct pulp capping with calcium hydroxide compounds

Abstract Direct pulp capping with calcium hydroxide compounds was performed on 510 human teeth. Pulp had been exposed as a result of cavity preparation in 70% of cases, and by removal of carious dentine in 15%. For the remaining 15% of the cases no information on the cause of exposure was available. The teeth were clinically and radiographically controlled 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment and at the stopping date. 245 cases were available for clinical examination. Information on the remaining cases was obtained from the records. Using the life table method, the trial time was calculated for each case as the time from dale of treatment to the date of failure, the date of last contact or the stopping date. The data were analyzed according to cause of perforation, age of patient and type of tooth. Five-year survival was 82% No significant difference in survival was observed between non-carious and small carious exposures. Young teeth and molars showed a higher survival rate when the longer observation periods were considered.