Objective To investigate the clinical application value of pulp mummification therapy and root canal therapy in senile chronic pulpitis. Methods The clinical data of elderly patients with chronic pulpitis who were admitted to our department from January 2016 to January 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the different treatment methods, 120 elderly patients were divided into two groups: the pulp mummification therapy group and the root canal group. The clinical efficacy of the two groups were observed and the patients were followed up for a period of six months. The prognosis of the patients was recorded and counted. Results There were 60 patients in the pulp mummification therapy group, of which 34 were markedly effective, 19 were effective and 7 were ineffective. There were 60 patients in the root canal treatment group, of which 33 were markedly effective, 17 effective and 10 ineffective. There was no significant difference between data of the two groups (P＞0. 05). Six months after treatment, the patients were followed up for half a year. There were 2 adverse reaction cases in 60 patients of the pulp mummification therapy group. The incidence of adverse reactions was 3. 33％. Among the 60 patients in the root canal treatment group, 1 patient developed adverse reactions, The incidence of adverse reactions was 1. 67％. There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P＞0. 05). Conclusion Both pulp mummification therapy and root canal therapy have a good clinical effect on elderly patients with chronic pulpitis. However, the pulp mummification therapy is suitable for patients whose radicular pulp have not been infected and the root canal is suitable for patients whose radicular pulp have been infected. Therefore, appropriate treatment should be selected based on patient characteristics to improve the treatment effect during the process of treatment.