Comparison of Direct and Indirect Pulp Capping in Deciduous Teeth

Abstract

Background: While both direct pulp capping (DPC) and indirect pulp capping (IPC) are advocated as conservative treatments to preserve pulp vitality in primary teeth, there remains a lack of consensus on their comparative effectiveness in the pediatric population. The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of direct versus indirect pulp capping in deciduous teeth. Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted at the Department of Dentistry, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to December 2024. A total of 60 primary molars from 42 children were treated with either direct pulp capping (DPC) or indirect pulp capping (IPC). Procedures were performed under aseptic conditions and completed in a single visit. Follow-up evaluations were carried out at 3, 6, and 12 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, was used, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 60 primary molars from 42 children, no significant baseline differences were observed between groups. Clinical and radiographic success rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were slightly higher in the IPC group; however, these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At 12 months, the proportion of teeth demonstrating both clinical and radiographic success was comparable between the IPC (83.3%) and DPC (80.0%) groups. Conclusion: Both direct pulp capping (DPC) and indirect pulp capping (IPC) demonstrate comparable clinical success in deciduous teeth, with a non-significant trend favoring IPC.

Update Dent. Coll. j: 2026; 16(1): 25-29