Direct Pulp Capping in Primary Molars using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: An in Vivo Study.

OBJECTIVE: To do a clinical and radiographic evaluation of the effectiveness of MTA when used as a direct pulp capping material in primary molars. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed on 30 primary molars with deep caries lesions in 30 patients from 3 to 9.75 years of age. Pulps exposed during cavity preparation were treated by direct pulp capping with MTA. The follow-up clinical and radiographic examinations were carried out at different time intervals: 6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, and >24 months after treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-four teeth were evaluated during the entire observation period. Positive clinical and radiographic outcomes were achieved in 19 teeth (13 teeth were saved and 6 were exfoliated). In five teeth, complications were observed only in children under 7 years old. CONCLUSION: Based on these clinical and radiographic results, MTA was found to be successful when used as a direct pulp capping material in primary teeth.