Clinical Comparison of Vital Pulp Capping Restorative Protocols

This randomized, controlled, double-blind, prospective study compares over a period of 12 months, the post-operative sensitivity and pulp vitality of three indirect pulp capping protocols (TheraCal, Bisco; Dycal, Caulk, and no liner). The study was approved by the University of Illinois internal review board (Protocol # 2014-1163). Potential subjects will be screened by one of 3 calibrated investigators through a brief interview and intraoral examination. The screening process includes a medical and dental history, demographics, current/concomitant medication, oral soft and hard tissue examination, 2 radiographs: one periapical and one bitewing, and a review of all inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria consist of adults in good general health between 18 and 64 years of age; with primary active carious lesions deep into the dentin (75% or more of carious dentin) of permanent teeth; absence of clinical symptoms of irreversible pulpitis (spontaneous pain and lingering pain for more than 10 seconds after cold stimulus), and absence of periapical pathology, sinus tract, swelling or abnormal mobility. The outcomes measures are pain using visual analog pain scale (pain assessment form) and success rate (pulp vitality based on percussion, palpation, cold test, radiographic findings), collected at the screening visit, intervention day, 24 hours, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months follow-up visits,