Clinical Evaluation of Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy as Treatment Options for Deciduous Molars with Periapical Periodontitis

Abstract

Deciduous teeth, owing to their special anatomical structure, are highly vulnerable to apical periodontitis, particularly when afflicted with deep caries or other endodontic diseases. Traditionally, root canal therapy (RCT) has been the gold standard among pediatric dentists all along. Nevertheless, due to its inherent limitations, researchers are actively exploring alternative therapeutic approaches these years. This study introduces a new treatment modality known as vital inflamed pulp therapy (VIPT). The primary aim of this investigation was to assess the practical feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of VIPT in managing apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth comparing to RCT. After rigorous patients evaluation and examination, VIPT was chosen as the preferred treatment plan, followed by one year long-term follow-up observations. The outcomes revealed that most positive seamless healing of the periapical lesion without any complications in VIPT as the ones in RCT. Notably, the development of the permanent tooth embryo remained unaffected and progressed as anticipated. In conclusion, this study validates the therapeutic potential of VIPT in treating apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth, offering a novel approach for managing deciduous tooth diseases. The clinical application of this method is expected to enhance patient experiences and prognostic outcomes in the treatment of deciduous tooth pathologies.