(PR113) Short Term Pulp Survival of Cracked Teeth with Reversible Pulpitis after Orthodontic Banding and Coronal Coverage

Orthodontic bands can be used in the interim to manage cracked teeth with reversible pulpitis before definitive restorations. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the one-year pulp survival of cracked teeth with reversible pulpitis managed with initial stabilization by orthodontic bands, followed by coronal coverage restorations. 125 patients with with reversible pulpitis in their cracked tooth each were recruited and pre-operative patient and tooth data collected. After one to five months of orthodontic banding definitive pulp diagnoses were determined and coronal coverage restorations were placed. Patients were reviewed one year after recruitment, Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed to investigate pulp survival, and Mann-Whitney U-tests compared baseline characteristics. 127 cracked teeth were followed up at one year. Pulp survival was found in 85 teeth (79.4%.) Absence of occlusal wear, increased age and terminal abutment teeth were correlated with shorter duration of pulp survival (p < 0.05). Out of 22 failures that necessitated root canal treatments half (n=11, 50%) failed while in orthodontic bands and the other half (n=11, 50%) failed after coronal coverage procedures. Teeth that failed were found to have required a longer provisional phase in orthodontic bands (p < 0.05). After orthodontic banding and coronal coverage restorations, normal pulp was found in 79.4% of cracked teeth at one year. Terminal abutment teeth, increased patient age, and absence of occlusal wear were correlated with shorter pulp survival. Teeth that required a longer provisional duration in orthodontic bands were found to have shorter pulp survival.