PULPOTOMY VERSUS SINGLE-VISIT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT IN MATURE PERMANENT TEETH WITH IRREVERSIBLE PULPITIS AND THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN PULPOTOMY AND RCT

Prof. Shivkumar Mantri*

Historically, irreversible pulpitis has necessitated complete pulp extirpation via RCT. However, advancements in pulp biology and biomaterials have led to the re-emergence of pulpotomy, a vital pulp therapy, as a viable alternative. Both pulpotomy and single-visit RCT, achieve high and comparable clinical and radiographic success rates, including periapical healing.[1,2,3,4,5,6] Pulpotomy offers distinct advantages, including significantly faster pain relief, reduced chair time, lower cost, and the crucial preservation of tooth vitality, neurosensory ability, and proprioception.[7,1,8,3,4,5] These benefits contribute to higher patient satisfaction and address significant barriers to dental care, particularly in resource-limited settings.[7,3,4] Despite its promising outcomes, the evidence-base for pulpotomy, especially concerning long-term results, is still evolving and characterized by some methodological limitations and heterogeneity in studies.[1,8,4] Single-visit RCT, while efficient and generally successful, may present a higher risk of immediate postoperative flare-ups, necessitating careful patient selection.[2,11] The findings underscore an ongoing paradigm shift in endodontics towards more minimally invasive, tissue-preserving therapies, advocating for individualized treatment planning based on a holistic assessment of clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes. Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) integration into endodontic practice promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy, refine treatment planning, improve procedural precision, and ultimately will lead to better patient outcomes in both pulpotomy and RCT.