Clinical and radiographic evaluation of indirect pulp treatment in primary molars: 36 months follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic changes in primary teeth submitted to indirect pulp treatment (IPT) over a 36-month period.

Methods: Thirty-nine primary molars with deep caries, but without preoperative signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpits, received IPT. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups, according to the material used for protection of the dentin-pulp complex: (1) a calcium hydroxide liner (Hydro C) and (2) a gutta-percha sheet. Both groups were restored with Z250 resin-based composite.

Results: After 36 months, Group 1 showed a success rate of 73.3% and Group 2, 85.7%. The overall success rate was 79.3%, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.36).