Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of age on the potential of dental pulp regeneration in young permanent teeth with periapical periodontitis. METHODS: A total of 30 mandibular premolars from 9-18 years old patients with pulp necrosis were divided into 2 groups, group A (younger age group): 9-13 years old, and group B (older age group): 14-18 years old. Revascularization procedures were performed for all patients. Follow-up was done for up to 18 months. Standardized radiographs of cone-beam CT (CBCT) were digitally evaluated for increase in root length and thickness. The data were analyzed by nonparametric two sample rank sum test using SPSS13.0 software package. RESULTS: After 18 months of follow-up, the clinical symptoms of the two groups disappeared. The cure rate of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (P=0.003). Radiographic analysis showed that the root length and root canal wall thickness in group A was significantly greater than those in group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Root canal revascularization can be widely used in the treatment of dental pulp necrosis in young permanent teeth. The closer the age is to the eruption time, the higher the potential of dental pulp regeneration, and the more suitable for root canal revascularization.

Key words: Age, Immature permanent teeth, Revascularization