PAIN PERCEPTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING DIRECT PULP CAPPING WITH CALCIUM HYDROXIDE VS MTA

Abstract

Objective: Comparing pain experience among patients treated with direct pulp capping by calcium hydroxide (CaOH) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Operative Dentistry, 21 Military Dental Centre, CMH Quetta, from September 2024 to March 2025.

Methodology: Patients aged between 18 and 45 years with reversible pulpitis of posterior teeth who required direct pulp capping were included in the study. Using non-probability purposive sampling technique, the patients were then divided into two groups: group A (n=40) received MTA, and group B (n=40) received calcium hydroxide as the capping material. Assessment of pain was performed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, 24 h, 7days, 3 months, and 6 months after procedure.

Results: MTA-treated patients had significantly reduced mean VAS scores pre-operatively (p = 0.014), post-operatively at 7 days (p = 0.030) and 3 months (p = 0.012) than the calcium hydroxide group. The mean pain score at 24 hours in the MTA group was 2.1 ± 0.6 compared to 3.8 ± 0.9 in the CaOH group. At 6 months, 90% of MTA cases were asymptomatic as compared to 70% in the CaOH group.

Conclusion: Mineral trioxide aggregate produces considerably less pain sensation than calcium hydroxide upon application for direct pulp capping, which would mean improved clinical success and patient comfort in the long term.