ArticleBMC oral health2026
Pulpotomy vs. pulpectomy for equivocal pulp status in primary molars: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching.
Article in BMC oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Pulpotomy in Primary Molars with Deep Caries Using Biodentine: A Case Series with 1-Year Follow-Up.Dentistry journal · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background Diagnosing pulp status in primary molars is often challenging when clinical and radiographic findings fall into an equivocal range between reversible and irreversible pulpitis. This uncertainty complicates treatment decisions between pulpotomy and pulpectomy. This study aimed to compare long-term survival outcomes of pulpotomy and pulpectomy in primary molars with diagnostically equivocal pulp status and to identify potential predictors of treatment success.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on 312 primary molars from children aged 3-8 years treated at Hefei Stomatological Hospital. All teeth exhibited borderline pulp status, such as prolonged bleeding (5-10 min) or inconclusive radiographic signs. Teeth were treated with pulpotomy using iRoot(Innovative BioCeramix Inc.,Vancouver, Canada) BP Plus or pulpectomy with ZOE-iodoform paste, followed by stainless steel crown restoration. Propensity score matching (1:1) was applied to balance baseline variables. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate survival outcomes and predictors of failure.ResultsAfter matching, 156 pairs were analyzed. The 24-month survival rate was significantly higher in the pulpotomy group (86.4%, 95% CI: 81.2-91.6%) compared to the pulpectomy group (67.1%, 95% CI: 60.3-73.9%) (P < 0.001). In asymptomatic teeth, pulpotomy was associated with a significantly lower risk of failure (HR = 0.42, P = 0.002), while no significant difference was found in symptomatic cases (HR = 0.88, P = 0.41). Internal resorption was more common in the pulpotomy group, whereas external resorption and periapical pathology were more frequent after pulpectomy.ConclusionsIn primary molars with equivocal pulp status, pulpotomy demonstrates superior long-term survival, particularly in asymptomatic cases. These findings support a more conservative approach and suggest revisiting current guidelines for managing diagnostically borderline pulp conditions.
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