Originally published in 2019.
Republished in 2022 following global agreement validation.
The 2022 version reflects methodological standardisation within the IAPD Consensus & Foundational Articles framework and formal evaluation of international agreement. No substantive changes were made to the clinical recommendations.
Pulp therapy is an important component of paediatric dental care and aims to maintain the health and function of teeth affected by caries, trauma, or developmental anomalies. Preservation of pulp vitality is particularly important in primary teeth and young permanent teeth to ensure continued tooth development, proper function, and maintenance of the dental arch.
Appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning are essential when determining the most suitable pulp therapy procedure.
Core principles include:
The goal of pulp therapy is to maintain tooth function and support normal dental development while preventing pain, infection, and premature tooth loss.
Vital pulp therapy should be considered when the dental pulp is capable of healing and maintaining vitality.
Treatment decisions should be based on careful diagnosis, including assessment of symptoms, clinical findings, and radiographic evaluation.
For young permanent teeth with incomplete root development, maintaining pulp vitality is critical to allow continued root formation and apex closure.
(Evidence-based recommendations are not subject to global agreement scoring.)
(Evaluated for Global Agreement in 2022)
Treatment options for primary teeth with pulp involvement may include procedures such as pulpotomy or pulpectomy depending on the condition of the pulp and surrounding tissues.
In young permanent teeth, vital pulp therapy techniques should be considered to promote continued root development and maintain tooth vitality.
Selection of materials and techniques should be guided by current evidence, clinical experience, and individual patient factors.
Regular follow-up examinations are necessary to evaluate treatment success and detect any complications.
To support clinical implementation and knowledge translation, IAPD has developed complementary educational materials.
🎙 IAPD Podcast Series
Relevant episodes of the IAPD Podcast Series may explore clinical management strategies and decision-making in paediatric dental care.
▶ Listen to the Podcast
🎥 IAPD Webinar
Relevant webinars may address treatment planning and clinical approaches for managing pulpal conditions in children.
Evidence – Based Pulp Therapy for Primary Teeth – Dr. Anna B. Fuks
Non Vital Pulp Therapies in Primary Teeth – Dr. Prasad Musale
International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD).
IAPD Foundational Articles and Recommendations on Pulp Therapy for Primary and Young Permanent Teeth.
Originally published 2019. Global Agreement Validation 2022.
