Table 8 Checklist items in the “Pulp Therapy” theme

Patient information/unit of analysis

1

Include information on the diagnosis of the condition (irreversible pulpitis, apical periodontitis) and diagnostic method/criteria used on the study

2

Include information on the rationale for the treatment performed (pulp capping/partial pulpotomy/ pulpotomy/pulpectomy)

Intervention

3

Report detailed steps involved in the pulp therapy procedure (anesthesia, isolation, removal of pulp)

4

Include rationale for selecting appropriate type of pulp therapy medicament and the final restoration

5

For pulp capping and pulpotomy, include information on the exposure site, size, etiology (carious/iatrogenic/trauma), and status of hemostasis (appearance, duration)

6

For pulpectomy, include information on the number of visits, root canal anatomy, root length determination, method of canal preparation (hand/rotary), irrigants/intracanal medicament used, obturation material and technique, and quality of obturation

7

For lesion sterilization and tissue repair, include information on the type of antibiotics used, instrumentation technique and the timing of placement of final restoration

Outcomes

8

Include all information on the outcome assessment methods (e.g. clinical, radiographic, histology) and criteria used to define success/failure

9

Report specific clinical and radiographical outcomes related to pulp therapy procedure (for example, abscess, internal root resorption etc.)

10

Report the time intervals of evaluation or follow-ups

11

Report the time period from the start to the end date of the study (minimum 12 months, preferable 24 months or more)

12

Report the status of root resorption, presence of first permanent molar, and effect on development of succedaneous tooth (for example, defects, delay in eruption etc.)

13

Report if the outcome assessors had knowledge of the clinical and/or radiographic outcomes