A case series of pulpectomies in traumatized primary incisors

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate after 12 months the success rates of 22 cases of traumatized maxillary primary incisors submitted to pulpectomies. Methods: A review of all dental records of Dental Trauma Project in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yielded 471 patients who had one or more primary/young permanent teeth with traumatic injuries. Only patients with irreversible inflammation or pulp necrosis leading to pulpectomy with 12 months' follow-up were included. A total of 22 maxillary primary incisors from 17 children 36.4 (±0.05) months old, and free from systemic disease, were treated. Results: Subluxation led to pulpectomy in 63% of cases; however, this type of trauma was not associated with therapeutic success (p=0.233). ZOE paste was the root-filling material in 65%, while iodoform paste was described in 45%. Pulpectomy was considered successful in 77.3%. Success was statistically associated with the absence of periapical infection before treatment (p=0.005). Although all cases of failure (n=5) occurred in children older than 36 months, there were no significant differences between success and the child's age (p=0.266). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate high success rates in pulpectomies and should be considered a therapy option for traumatized maxillary primary incisors with irreversible inflammation or pulpal necrosis.