Comparison of ferric sulfate, formocresol, and a combination of ferric sulfate/formocresol in primary tooth vital pulpotomies: a retrospective radiographic survey.
Studies have suggested that formocresol has toxic and carcinogenic potential. A search for an alternative medicament for primary tooth pulpotomies has led to ferric sulfate as a possible alternative. A retrospective study was done in a multipractitioner IHS (Indian Health Service) clinic. Radiographic success or failure was determined for 202 primary tooth pulpotomies performed with either formocresol, ferric sulfate, or a combination procedure of formocresol and ferric sulfate. The post-operative period for the pulpotomies ranged from one month to thirty-six plus months. There was no statistical difference in radiographic failure rates between formocresol, ferric sulfate, or the combination procedure when results were analyzed regardless of post-op period. However, when post-op periods were considered, formocresol performed better at > 36 months and the combination procedure showed significantly more failures at > 36 months.
Indian Health Service, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Spence
S
Burnett
Jerry
J
Walker
D001130:Arizona; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005566:Formocresols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005566:Formocresols; C031025:formocresol; C024823:ferric sulfate