A retrospective evaluation of pulpotomy as an alternative to extraction.

Pulpotomy was performed as an alternative to extraction on 26 teeth over a period of 88 months. Patients were recalled to evaluate the status of each tooth. Seventeen teeth were still functioning with the original pulpotomy and amalgam restoration for periods of between 14 and 88 months. Five teeth were lost after an average of 35 months because they became symptomatic and the patients were unable to afford root canal therapy. Four teeth became symptomatic after an average of 36 months but the patients' economic status had changed and they were able to afford root canal therapy and keep the teeth functioning. The data suggest that pulpotomy may be an alternative to extraction for those patients who are unable to afford conventional endodontic therapy. This procedure has the potential to postpone the loss of the tooth for up to 88 months.