Vital Pulpotomy in Cats: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study - Preliminary Findings

Objective - To assess the success rate, and the factors which may affect outcome, of vital pulpotomy in cats.
Design – A retrospective, multicentered study
Methods & Materials - Medical records were collated from several referral practices located in North America and reviewed, noting patient signalment, presenting complaint, materials used, and any intra-operative complications. Radiographs from the time of initial treatment, and those from the last available follow-up were evaluated. Treatment outcomes were categorised as successful, no evidence of failure (NEF), or failure according to the endodontic outcome guidelines established by the European Society of Endodontology.
Results (Preliminary) - At the time of writing, treatment was classified as either successful or no evidence of failure in all teeth (100%), with no teeth exhibiting any evidence of failure (0%) radiographically.
Conclusions - Vital pulpotomy in cats appears to have a high success rate when utilising either mineral trioxide aggregate or bioceramic material as a direct pulp capping agent. Vital pulpotomy is a suitable treatment for pulp exposure during crown reduction, and in cases of recent fracture, in the canine teeth of cats. Further studies, ideally prospective in nature, with a larger sample size, and long-term follow-up are required.