Pulp capping of carious exposures: Treatment outcome after 5 and 10 years:A retrospective study

One hundred twenty-three pulp cappings had been performed by students in 19 84 to 1987 (= 10-yr group) or in 1990 to 1992 (= 5-yr group) and were follo wed up in 1997, Teeth were checked for sensitivity (CO2/electrical pulp tes ting), percussion, and palpation; radiographs were taken to assess periapic al status. In addition several other factors were determined that might hav e an influence on the success or failure rates, such as base material, type of restoration, site of exposure, etc. Results showed 44.5% failures (18.5 % questionable and 37% successful cases) in the 5-yr group and 79.7% failin g, 7.3% questionable, and 13% successful cases in the 10-yr group. As a fac tor of influence, the placement of a definitive restoration within the firs t 2 days after pulp exposure was found to contribute significantly to the s urvival rate of these teeth.