Abdurrahman YALÇIN, Simge Gümüş AYAZ
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine - 2026;9(5):1235-1242
Aims: This prospective clinical study aimed to compare postoperative pain and thermal sensitivity after direct pulp capping, partial pulpotomy, and full pulpotomy in mature permanent molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods: Ninety patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included and allocated into three groups according to the vital pulp therapy performed: direct pulp capping, partial pulpotomy, or full pulpotomy (n=30 each). All procedures were performed under rubber dam isolation using an operating microscope. A 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution was used for hemostasis and cavity disinfection. The exposed pulp tissue was covered with Endocem MTA, followed by resin-modified glass ionomer cement, and all teeth were restored with composite resin in the same session. Pain and thermal sensitivity were recorded preoperatively and at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days postoperatively using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and intragroup changes over time were analyzed using the Friedman test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: No statistically significant difference was found among the groups in preoperative or postoperative pain VAS scores (p>0.05). However, thermal VAS scores differed significantly among the groups (p<0.05). The full pulpotomy group showed the lowest thermal sensitivity at all time points. Thermal sensitivity decreased significantly over time in all groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: All vital pulp therapy procedures similarly reduced early postoperative pain; however, full pulpotomy resulted in the lowest postoperative thermal sensitivity.
