Objective To analyze the effect of different pulp capping agents on dental aesthetics in children undergoing vital pulpotomy of young permanent teeth. Methods A total of 62 children who received vital pulpotomy of young permanent teeth at Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital from May 2023 to October 2024 were selected, and they were divided into the reference group and the study group by the random number table method, with 31 children in each group. The reference group was treated with calcium hydroxide paste for vital pulpotomy of young permanent teeth, and the study group was treated with iRoot BP Plus pulp capping agent. The dental aesthetics, treatment effect and perioperative related indicators were compared between the two groups. Results The excellent and good rate of dental aesthetics in the study group (90.32%) was higher than that in the reference group (67.74%) (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the study group (93.55%) was higher than that in the reference group (70.97%) (P<0.05). The operation time, postoperative pain duration and postoperative swelling duration of the study group were shorter than those of the reference group (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with calcium hydroxide paste, the application of iRoot BP Plus pulp capping agent in vital pulpotomy of young permanent teeth achieves better effects. It can further improve dental aesthetics, shorten the operation time, postoperative pain and swelling duration, and enhance the treatment effect.