title: Outcome of formocresol/ZOE sub-base pulpotomies utilizing alternative radiographic success criteria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this investigation were to 1) measure success of a primary tooth pulpotomy technique that applies formocresol in the sub-base without the common five-minute application of a formocresol impregnated cotton pellet; and 2) compare success rates of the pulpotomy procedure using traditional criteria found throughout the literature with new criteria recently established, excluding internal resorption as a radiographic failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and radiographic data were collected from a retrospective chart review of patients receiving formocresol pulpotomies with the application of formocresol in the zinc oxide-eugenol sub-base.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical and radiographic data were available for 196 primary molars in 122 children (followup=six to 103 months; mean=49 months). Traditional assessment of radiographic success and failure yielded a success rate of 79%. Alternative assessment excluding internal resorption as a failure yielded a 99% success rate. Most frequently observed pulpal responses were calcific metamorphosis and internal resorption. Overall clinical success was 99%. Two of the 196 teeth were extracted due to failure. A survival analysis demonstrated that the overall probability of survival remained high over time with a cumulative survival of over 95% after six years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall success rates in this study indicate that the formocresol pulpotomy technique incorporating formocresol in the zinc oxide-eugenol sub-base is a very successful treatment modality for primary molars requiring pulp therapy.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Strange
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Seale
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strange
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects; D003784:Dental Pulp Calcification / Q000209:etiology; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005566:Formocresols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005566:Formocresols; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C031025:formocresol