Vital Pulp Therapy Outcomes in Children's First Permanent Molars Under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Pulpotomy is a proven treatment option for permanent teeth with pulp involvement, showing high success rates similar to root canal treatment. General anesthesia (GA) is used when traditional dental procedures are not feasible, especially in pediatric cases. Despite its effectiveness, limited data on endodontic treatments under GA is available, with many guidelines favoring extractions. This study aimed to evaluate the success rate of pulpotomies performed under GA on children's first permanent molars and to identify factors influencing treatment outcomes. Methods: The study involved 171 pediatric patients, aged 8 to 12, who underwent pulpotomy procedures on 197 teeth at a public dentistry clinic between January 2018 and July 2022. Clinical and radiographic follow-ups were conducted at different intervals to assess the effectiveness of the treatments, achieving a recall rate of 83%. Results: The overall success rate of pulpotomies performed under GA was 93.36%. Success rates varied according to the follow-up period: 100% at 1–12 months, 97.70% at 13–24 months, and 87.76% at 25–36 months. The etiology of the tooth's condition significantly affected outcomes, whereas patient age, sex, and tooth maturity did not have a significant impact. Conclusion: Pulpotomy in permanent molars is an effective treatment option for managing carious lesions, especially when performed under GA.