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Pulp Therapy

Clinical Outcomes of Endodontic Therapy in First Permanent Molars Among Children Aged 6-13 Years: A Retrospective Study

123 - Clinical Outcomes of Endodontic Therapy in First Permanent Molars Among Children Aged 6–13 Years: A Retrospective Study

Friday, May 22, 2026
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM PST
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    Presenting Author(s)

  • Darin Matarweh, DDS

    Pediatric dentistry resident
    Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ
    Rutgers School of Dental Medicine
    Rockville, Maryland, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • MG

    Mary Beth Giacona, DMD, MPH

    Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ
    Newark, New Jersey, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • MM

    Madhu Mohan, DMD

    Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ
    Newark, New Jersey, United States

Purpose:
The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the two-year clinical outcomes of endodontic therapy in first permanent molars (FPMs) among children aged 6–13 years and to compare outcomes between vital pulp therapy (VPT) and root canal treatment (RCT), thereby informing evidence-based clinical decision-making in pediatric dentistry.

Methods:
Patient records from the AxiUm system at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine from January 2013 through December 2025 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included children aged 6–13 years who underwent endodontic treatment on FPMs (#3, #14, #19, #30) with a minimum of two-year follow-up. Teeth were classified as successful if retained without additional intervention during follow-up. Failures were defined as teeth requiring additional endodontic treatment (retreatment) or extraction. Outcomes were analyzed based on initial treatment modality and tooth location.

Results:
A total of 119 teeth met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 72 teeth (60.5%) were classified as successful, while 47 teeth (39.5%) were classified as failures, including 22 (18.5%) requiring retreatment and 43 (36.1%) ultimately extracted. Among teeth treated with VPT (n = 64), 41 (64.1%) were successful, whereas 31 of 55 teeth (56.4%) treated with RCT were successful. The difference in success rates between VPT and RCT was not statistically significant (p = 0.39). Mandibular molars accounted for a higher proportion of extractions (55.2%) compared to maxillary molars (44.8%).

Conclusion:
Vital pulp therapy and root canal treatment demonstrated comparable clinical success rates in the management of first permanent molars in pediatric patients, with no statistically significant difference between the two modalities. Including retreatment as a failure outcome provides a more comprehensive assessment of treatment success. These findings support the use of conservative approaches such as VPT when appropriate case selection and diagnosis are achieved, particularly in complex cases managed within teaching institutions.