Pediatric patients having deep decay in primary molars seen at UMMC, UMSOD, and University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute, will be included in the sample. Teeth with deep caries, \>50% into dentin, will be randomly assigned using a table of random numbers to the three treatment groups:
Group 1 pulpotomy with MTA, Group 2 pulpotomy with Biodentine, Group 3 indirect pulp treatment. Treatment will be performed by board certified pediatric dentists or they will directly supervise pediatric dental residents at each site as part of their regular protocol for treating deep caries.
Radiographs will be taken as prescribed in the Guideline for taking Radiographs in Children by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Twice yearly clinical examinations will be performed by the treating dentists or pediatric dental residents to check for any soft tissue pathology such as abscess or mobility of treated tooth/teeth. If treatment success/failure consensus between the blinded dentists is not reached, a third dentist will be consulted.
The success/failure data will be entered onto spreadsheets and examined statistically using statistical software.
