Abstract

Aim

The current study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic success of potassium nitrate in polycarboxylate cement (KNO₃/PCA) compared to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in direct pulp capping (DPC) of carious, immature permanent molars over an 18-month follow-up.

Materials and methods

A two-armed parallel randomised trial included one hundred children with 104 M have been included and assigned equally. The success rate was evaluated clinically and radiographically. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the clinical and radiographic success rates. The percentage change in radiographic parameters was tested using an independent sample t-test. The effect of time on the mean values of radiographic parameters was tested using the general linear model (GLM). A significant level was set at 5%.

Results

The overall success rates after 18 months of follow-up for KNO₃/PCA and MTA were 90.4% and 92.3%, respectively (p > 0.05). Similarly, root maturation indicators showed no significant difference between the two groups over the follow-up (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

With comparable clinical and radiographic results to MTA, KNO₃/PCA is an effective treatment option in the DPC of carious, immature permanent teeth.