Evaluation of mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol for pulpotomy in primary molar teeth

Abstract EN

Background: One of the most important goals for Pedodontists is the retention of the pulpally involved deciduous teeth healthy until the time of normal exfoliation.

Concern has been raised about the toxicity and potential carcinogenicity of formocresol which is the most popular pulpotomy medicaments.

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate is a new biocompatible material which provides a biological seal and has several pulpal applications including pulpotomy.

Materials and methods: 24 children with 31 primary molars requiring pulpotomy were selected in this study, 15 teeth treated with MTA pulpotomy and in 16 teeth formocresol was used as a pulpotomy medicament.

Clinical and radio graphical follow up of the patients was performed after 1 month, 3 months and 6 months respectively.

Results: the clinical success rate of pulpotomy was 86.7% of the MTA group and 75% of the formocresol group, while radio graphically the MTA group succeeded by a rate of 86.7% and the formocresol group succeeded by a rate of 68.75%.

Conclusions: Mineral trioxide aggregate showed clinical and radio graphic success rate higher than that of formocresol (though not statistically significant) and can be used as a pulpotomy medicament in primary molar teeth.