BACKGROUND

Calcium hydroxide indirect pulp treatment (CH-IPT) and antibiotic sterilization using a mixture of three antibiotics (3Mix-MP) of deep caries are similar non-invasive vital pulp treatments. No studies have compared their clinical and radiographic success rates in primary molars.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of CH-IPT and 3Mix-MP in carious lesions approaching the pulp of mandibular primary molars.

METHODS

Eighty-two mandibular primary molars from 50 children, aged 3-8 years, with carious lesions approaching the pulp, and meeting the inclusion criteria, were randomly assigned for either treatment. After treatment, blinded clinical/radiographic evaluation was performed at 6-11 and 12-29 month recalls.

RESULTS

At 6-11 months, the overall success rates of CH-IPT and 3Mix-MP were 82% and 81% (P = 0.91), respectively. At 12-29 months, the success rates were 94% and 78% (P = 0.08), respectively. The most frequently observed failure at the 12-29 month recall was internal resorption (one CH-IPT tooth and three 3Mix-MP teeth).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference in overall success rates between CH-IPT and 3Mix-MP in treating deep caries approaching the pulp in mandibular primary molars at either 6-11 month or 12-29 month follow-up.