Application and nursing cooperation of mineral trioxide aggregate for pulpotomy and apexification

Objective To evaluate the application and nursing cooperation of mineral trioxideaggregate (MTA) in pulpotomy and apexification of young permanent teeth. Methods 98 teeth with pulpillness and immature root were collected in the patients between the ages of 9 and 16 years, and then weredivided into MTA group and calcium hydroxide group (control group). MTA or calcium hydroxide wereapplied as pulp-capping or inducer for pulpotomy or apexifieation in the two groups respectively. One yearfollow-up was carried out after operation. The rates of pulp survival and apex closure were observed in eachgroup and then compared between the groups. Results The rates of pulp survival and apex closure in theMTA group were 100% and 94%, both significantly higher than those in the calcium hydroxide group(allP＜0.05). Conclusions The therapeutical effects of MTA application for pulpotomy and apexification wereremarkable, superior to those of traditional calcium hydroxide. The key point to nursing is to strictly performan aseptic manipulation and have an intimate knowledge of characteristics of MTA and its mixing. Key words: MTA ;  Pulpotomy;  Apexification;  Nursing