Early clinical results from the use of 5% potassium nitrate in polycarboxylate cement for biological treatment of reversible pulpitis.

The aim of the present study was to obtain immediate and early clinical results from the use of 5% potassium nitrate (KNO3) in polycarboxylate cement for biological treatment of reversible pulpitis.

METHODS

The method was applied in 140 teeth, mostly premolars and molars, with a clinical diagnosis of reversible pulpitis and indications for biological treatment of the inflamed dental pulp by means of indirect pulp capping. All teeth had clinically healthy periodontium and no non-carious lesions of the hard dental tissues. The study sample consisted of 127 patients aged between 16 and 40 years. The control group included 92 teeth in 78 patients, which were treated by a calcium hydroxide liner. The follow-up examinations were conducted 24 hours after treatment and on day 3 for the immediate results, and on days 7, 14, 30, and 90 for the early clinical results assessing the functional condition of the teeth, presence of thermal stimulus-induced pain and the measurements from the electric pulp vitality tests. The results were analysed with the analysis of variance and graphic analysis.

RESULTS

The immediate and early clinical results of the biological treatment of reversible pulpitis with 5% KNO3 in polycarboxylate cement show that pain as a symptom of the initial inflammatory process in the dental pulp is rapidly and effectively relieved, leaving the treated teeth in good functional condition. The comparison of the measurements from the electric pulp tests of all teeth reveals a statistically significant difference (u = 8.51; P < 0.001) in favour of the group treated with potassium nitrate and polycarboxylate cement.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The immediate and early clinical results of our study suggest that treating reversible pulpitis with 5% KNO3 in polycarboxylate cement has an a very good analgesic action 2. The normal electrical excitability of the treated teeth is restored faster than that in the teeth treated by calcium hydroxide-based materials (P < 0.001).