Effect of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomies in primary molars on their permanent tooth successors

To determine the long-term success rate of white MTA pulpotomies in primary teeth and its influence upon eruption and calcification of the permanent successor, as well as other key clinical and radiographic parameters. Methods: A total of 138 molars from participants between 2-10 years of age were included. Clinical and radiographic parameters were monitored in the primary and/or permanent successor at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 months or until eruption of the permanent successor, using the contralateral tooth as control. Chi-squared test and the Spearman correlation coefficient (r) were used to evaluate potential associations and distributions between radiographic/clinical parameters (P< 0.05; 95%CI). Results: Clinical alterations were observed in 1.4% of the primary molars. Unfavorable radiographic pulp responses (furcation radiolucency, internal root resorption with perforation, or external root resorption) were observed in 6.5% of the cases. Dentin bridge formation in the roots was observed in a range as low as 71.2% to a maximum of 89.9% of the cases. The presence or absence of dentin bridge formation in any of the roots was not associated or correlated with the age of the patient (P> 0.05). Reparative dentin formation in any of the the root canals was recorded in 37.3 to a 68.1% of the canals (P> 0.05). The 50 permanent successors recorded after exfoliation of the treated molars showed no alterations in color, mineralization, structure or position, and no alterations in the timing of eruption were noted.