Clinical Comparison Between the Outcomes of One Step vs. Step Wise Indirect Pulp Capping.

Background: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases and if it remains untreated it may lead to unfavorable pulpal consequences. Therefore, maintaining the pulp vitality is significant. One of the conservative techniques to maintain pulp vitality includes indirect pulp capping. Objective: objective of this study is clinical comparison between the outcomes of one step vs stepwise indirect pulp capping. Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Operative Dentistry of Islamabad Dental Hospital. A sample size of 40 patients per group was calculated by WHO calculator. Convenience sampling technique was used for selection of patients. Permanent teeth with 1.5mm-2 mm remaining dentin thickness were selected with symptoms of reversible pulpitis. After removal of infected dentin biocompatible material was used, and tooth was restored with permenant restoration in one step indirect pulp capping, whereas in step wise indirect pulp capping after the removal of caries soft infected dentin was lined with biocompatible material and sealed with temporary restoration. Patients were recalled after 12 weeks for re-entry, after removal of any infected caries permanent restoration was done. Results: The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.22) was used for the data analysis. 47.5% male and 52.5% female were included in this study. Mean age and standard deviation was 29.5 ± 9.05. Fisher exact test gave significant difference between favorable and unfavorable outcome between both groups 0.027 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Stepwise indirect pulp capping is a conservative management which helps to maintain the vitality of the tooth. It provides an opportunity for dentinal bridge formation and environment for pulpal healing.