Is there life after Buckley's Formocresol? Part I -- a narrative review of alternative interventions and materials.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To present a narrative review of the currently available alternative interventions and materials to formocresol pulpotomy for the management of extensive caries in the primary molar, and (2) to produce a clinical protocol for pulp therapy techniques in the extensively carious primary molar.


BACKGROUND
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently classified formaldehyde as carcinogenic to human beings. Since Buckley's Formocresol contains 19% formaldehyde in its full strength and, therefore, 1% in a 20% dilution, a safer alternative should be identified.


METHODS
A narrative review of the published literature for primary molar pulp therapy techniques was undertaken following an extensive and appropriate literature search. A specialist group of paediatric dentists was formed to arrive at a consensus and establish an evidence-based protocol for the management of extensively carious primary molar teeth. Part I of this paper explores the currently available alternative interventions and materials to formocresol in the form of a narrative review. The second part of the paper will present the formation of a specialist group to arrive at a consensus and establish an evidence-based protocol for the management of the extensively carious primary molar.


CONCLUSIONS
After consideration of a review of extensively searched literature, a protocol and key points document have been developed to assist clinicians in their treatment planning. Further long-term studies with the highest level of evidence (i.e. randomized controlled trials) are required to enable us to identify acceptable alternatives which can replace formocresol.
Srinivasan
V
V
Department of Child Dental Health, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Patchett
C L
CL
Waterhouse
P J
PJ
D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002164:Camphor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003707:Demeclocycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods; D003787:Dental Pulp Devitalization / Q000379:methods; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000628:therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004598:Electrosurgery; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005566:Formocresols; D005976:Glutaral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006847:Hydrocarbons, Iodinated / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000379:methods; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000379:methods*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012828:Silicones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014089:Tooth Remineralization / Q000379:methods; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000627:therapeutic use
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005566:Formocresols; D006847:Hydrocarbons, Iodinated; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; D012828:Silicones; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C029584:calcium hydroxide, iodoform, silicone oil drug combination; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; C036374:Kri paste; C031025:formocresol; C024823:ferric sulfate; D003707:Demeclocycline; D002164:Camphor; C001527:Ledermix; D003094:Collagen; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D005976:Glutaral