Pulpal response to partial pulpotomy versus full pulpotomy procedures in puppies: An experimental study

Abstract

Background A Partial pulpotomy technique is an alternative choice of treatment for immature permanent teeth with exposed vital pulps. This study aimed to compare the histopathological pulpal response of the primary teeth of puppies after partial pulpotomy and full pulpotomy using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Materials and methods 72 primary premolars from experimental puppies aged 6–8 weeks were equally divided into test and control groups, as MTA partial pulpotomy (MTA-PP) and MTA full pulpotomy (MTA-FP). After 60 days, the teeth were extracted and examined histologically. The specimens were assessing the extent and intensity of inflammatory response (acute or chronic), necrosis, fibrosis, calcific bridge (presence or absence), pulp calcification, and pathological root resorption. Results The Inflammation intensity was lower (2.8%) in MTA-PP than in MTA-FP (16.7%) (P = 0.004). MTA-FP also had a significantly higher percentage of localized (27.8%) and diffuse (11.1%) necrosis (P = 0.014), whereas both groups (P = 0.290) had an equal fibrosis degree. A calcific bridge was observed in 72.2% of cases. Meanwhile, pathological internal root resorption was more evident in MTA-FP (63.9%) than in MTA-PP (19.4%) (P <0.0001). Conclusion Partial MTA pulpotomy procedure demonstrated promising histological findings that can be applied to vital-pulp therapy in primary teeth.