Postoperative Pain After Full Pulpotomy With TheraCal PT, Biodentin, and MTA

The ethical approval for our study has been obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Sivas Cumhuriyet University. The experimental phase of the study will be conducted at the Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sivas Cumhuriyet University.

Patient Selection Criteria:

Participants aged between 18 and 45, who present with findings of irreversible pulpitis in the lower first molar tooth and apply to the Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, will be included in the study.

In this study:

When α=0.05, β=0.10, and 1-β=0.90 were set, it was decided to include 17 teeth in each group, and the power of the test was found to be p=0.90948.

Statistical Method:

The data obtained from our study will be recorded in the SPSS 22.0 program. When the assumptions for parametric tests (Shapiro-Wilk) are met, one-way ANOVA will be used to compare measurements obtained from two or more independent groups. If differences are found, a Tukey test will be performed to determine which groups differ. If the parametric assumptions are not met, the Kruskal-Wallis test will be applied, and the Mann-Whitney U test will be used to identify the differing groups. The data will be presented in tables, including arithmetic mean, standard deviation, median, minimum-maximum values, and the error level will be set at 0.05.

Inclusion Criteria for the Study:

Age between 18 and 45 years, Absence of systemic disease, Apical periodontitis findings may be present or not, Symptoms of irreversible pulpitis must be present, The apex of the tooth must be closed, Pulp sensitivity tests (cold test and electric pulp test) must respond positively, Periodontal pocket depth and mobility must be within normal limits, Rubber dam isolation must be provided for the tooth to be treated, Restorative treatment of the tooth must be possible, The patient's mouth opening must be sufficient.

Exclusion Criteria from the Study:

Presence of any systemic disease (including conditions requiring prophylaxis), Presence of mental or psychiatric disorders, Presence of any allergic condition, Use of painkillers in the last 12 hours before the procedure or antibiotics in the last week, Loss of tooth structure that cannot be restoratively treated, Presence of a fistula tract or abscess, Negative response to pulp sensitivity tests (cold test and electric pulp test), No bleeding in the pulp or failure to achieve hemostasis within 6 minutes after total pulpotomy, Open apex, Advanced canal calcification observed on periapical radiography, Presence of internal or external root resorption.

After clinical and radiographic examinations, pulpal and periapical diagnosis will be established before the procedure. A diagnostic periapical radiograph will be taken using a film holder with the parallel technique to visualize the depth of the carious lesion and evaluate the periapical area. All patients will be informed about treatment details, materials used, possible complications, follow-up dates, and alternative treatment options. A written consent form will be obtained from patients indicating alternative options for root canal treatment, tooth extraction, or withdrawal from treatment. Prior to treatment, the pre-operative pain values of participants will be recorded. The pulpotomy procedure will be carried out according to the following protocol:

Anesthesia : Anesthesia will be provided using 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. The tooth will be isolated with a rubber dam. The tooth designated for pulpotomy will be disinfected using 5% NaOCl before the procedure. After cleaning the caries, the exposed coronal pulp tissue will be amputated to the level of the canal orifices using a high-speed sterile diamond bur. Pulp vitality will be assessed visually by checking for bleeding at each canal orifice. Hemostasis will be achieved by applying gentle pressure with a cotton pellet soaked in 2.5% NaOCl for 2 minutes, and this will be repeated up to three times (for a total of 6 minutes) if necessary.

After achieving hemostasis, the pulp capping material will be randomly selected from ProRoot MTA (Denstply), Biodentin (Septodont), or TheraCal PT (ThPT, Bisco Inc) using www.randomizer.org. The application of materials will be performed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Applications:

ProRoot MTA Application :

Coronal pulp tissue will be removed using a high-speed sterile diamond bur. Then, hemostasis will be achieved by applying gentle pressure with a cotton pellet soaked in 2.5 % NaOCl for 2 minutes, and this will be repeated up to three times (totaling 6 minutes) if necessary. After confirming bleeding control, the ProRoot MTA material will be placed at the canal openings. After a waiting period of 15 minutes, a thin layer of Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (Vitrebond, 3M; ESPE) will be applied as the base material. Finally, the tooth will receive restorative treatment to complete the procedure.

Biodentin Application :

Coronal pulp tissue will be removed using a high-speed sterile diamond bur, and hemostasis will be achieved by applying gentle pressure with a cotton pellet soaked in 2.5% NaOCl for 2 minutes, repeated up to three times (totaling 6 minutes) if necessary. After confirming bleeding control, the Biodentin material will be placed at the canal orifices. According to the manufacturer's instructions, after a waiting period of 12 minutes, a thin layer of Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (Vitrebond, 3M; ESPE) will be applied as the base material. Finally, the tooth will receive restorative treatment to complete the procedure.

TheraCal PT Application :

After the coronal pulp tissue is removed using a high-speed sterile diamond bur, hemostasis will be achieved by applying gentle pressure with a cotton pellet soaked in 2.5% NaOCl for 2 minutes, and this will be repeated up to three times (totaling 6 minutes) if necessary. After confirming bleeding control, the TheraCal PT material will be placed. Following a 10-second irradiation period according to the manufacturer's instructions, a thin layer of Resin Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (Vitrebond, 3M; ESPE) will be applied as the base material. Finally, the tooth will receive restorative treatment to complete the procedure.

Monitoring and Pain Assessment:

After the treatment, participants will be asked to fill out the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) chart to determine the severity of pain. Participants will be instructed to indicate their pain intensity at that moment on the VAS chart, marking between 0-100 mm, for the 6th hour, 24th hour, 48th hour, 72nd hour, and 7th day. Participants will be contacted in person or by phone for reminders over a 7-day period regarding when to fill out the form. At the end of the week, participants will be asked to return to the clinic with their VAS charts for a follow-up visit.