• Introduction: Pulpotomy has recently been proposed as an alternative to root canal treatment for the management of irreversible pulpitis in mature permanent molars. However, up till now there is no non-invasive diagnostic tool to measure the true vitality of the remaining radicular pulp
• Objectives: This study investigated the ability of using Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a new diagnostic tool for the early evaluation of pulpotomy outcome in four mature permanent molars with irreversibly inflamed pulp.
• Materials and methods: A single visit pulpotomy procedure was carried out in four mature permanent lower molars with acute irreversible pulpitis. EndoCem MTA was used as the pulp dressing material. Teeth were then restored with a base of resin-reinforced glass ionomer cement, followed by composite restoration. Clinical and radiographic assessment was done at 1,3,6, 9, &12 months. MRI was done at 6 months to measure the signal intensity from the remaining radicular pulp and compare it to the contralateral healthy pulp.
• Results: In the first three cases; MRI analysis showed that there was no sign of alteration in the mean signal intensity of the remaining radicular compared to the contralateral healthy pulps. This was in accordance with the clinical and radiographic criteria of success. However, in the fourth case there was a marked decrease in the mean signal intensity indicating pulp necrosis which was not detected at that time neither clinically nor radiographically.
• Conclusions: MRI could be a very promising diagnostic tool for the early evaluation of pulpotomy outcome.