A dentist performed a pulpectomy on a #31 molar tooth.  He found a
large > 4mm carious exposure, informed patient she would need a root
canal and crown.  He extirpated the pulp, irrigated, and placed a CMCP
pellet and sealed the tooth.  How long would it be reasonable to
expect the pellet should remain in the tooth before further treatment
should be performed?  Is 5 months too long?  What would be expected to
happen if the patient was unaware of the pellet and does not seek
further treatment?  Should such a dentist be obligated to follow up
with patient to insure the pellet is removed at some point?

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Clarification of Question by texcel-ga on 28 Aug 2003 20:44 PDT

Please provide reference to any scholarly text or journal that may be helpful.