Descriptors of permanent teeth with cariously exposed pulp in patients presenting at a Nigerian hospital

Abstract

Aim: To describe the pattern of presentation of carious permanent teeth with pulp exposure and to determine factors associated with choice of treatment for such teeth.

Materials and methods: All patients presenting at the oral diagnosis clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital Dental centre between January 2009 and June 2009 were examined and those with carious lesion involving the pulp were included in the study. The history and character of pain from teeth, extent of tooth structure lost, proposed treatment and reason for proposed treatment was recorded.

Results: The tooth most affected by pulp exposure due to caries is the lower first molar (17.5%). Extraction was the treatment of choice for many patients due to the following reasons: obliterated root canals (30%), patients' preference (30%) and non-restorable teeth (22%).

Conclusion: Extraction was the predominant treatment chosen for cariously exposed permanent teeth due to the condition of the tooth.