Could a simpler dental procedure replace root canals for deep cavities?

NCT ID NCT07242742

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study compares two treatments for extremely deep cavities that reach the tooth's nerve: a full pulpotomy (removing only the top part of the nerve) versus a standard root canal. About 93 people aged 12 and older with a deep cavity in a permanent tooth will be randomly assigned to one of the two procedures. The goal is to see if the simpler pulpotomy works as well as a root canal after one year, and whether dental students can perform it successfully in a supervised clinic.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
dental procedure (pulpotomy or root canal treatment)
What this could lead to
If pulpotomy works as well as root canal, more dentists may offer it as a simpler, tooth-preserving option for deep cavities.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study in a training clinic, so results may not apply to all dentists or patients. The follow-up is only 12 months, and long-term success is unknown.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National University Centre For Oral Health Singapore (NUCOHS)

    RECRUITING

    Singapore, Singapore

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