Method: Thirty teeth were treated by VPT in 27 children ranging in age from 10 to 15 years (mean age =13.4 years). The infected coronal pulp tissue was removed from each tooth, leaving vital pulp tissue in the canals. The pulp orifices were covered with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), followed by resin restorations. All treated teeth were scheduled for regular clinical and radiographic assessment appointments.
Result: Twenty-eight of the 30 teeth were available for the final recall with a mean recall period of 25 months. Radigraphic evaluation revealed no evidence of periradicular or root pathology for all treated teeth. Twenty-six of the 28 teeth were clinically asymptomatic during the follow-up period. Two teeth presented with clinical symptoms of pain and discomfort that indicated RCT. The estimated proportion of success with VPT was 92.8% (P= 0.02) when compared to RCT control outcomes (68% to 85%) from a systematic review (Ng et al. 2007).
Conclusion: VPT can be used successfully as an alternative to root canal treatment in the management of carious pulp exposures for permanent teeth with closed root apices in children. Lower treatment costs and less complexity has the potential to increase access to vital pulpal therapy and prevent extractions.