title: Evaluation of the formocresol versus mineral trioxide aggregate primary molar pulpotomy: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To apply meta-analysis to compare the clinical and radiographic effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with formocresol (FC) when used as wound dressing for pulpotomy of primary molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study list was obtained by searching MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and SCI. Only those papers that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six studies met the inclusion criteria. There was significant difference between the success rates of FC- and MTA-treated pulpotomized primary molars (P < .05). Clinical assessments and radiographic findings of the MTA versus FC pulpotomy suggested that MTA was superior to FC in pulpotomy resulting in a lower failure rate, with the RR (Relative Risk) being 0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11 to 0.90) and 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.74), respectively. Internal root resorption happened less in the MTA group with RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.77.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTA induces less undesirable responses and might be FC's suitable replacement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Sichuan University, West China School of Dentistry, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Xuedong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005566:Formocresols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005566:Formocresols; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; C031025:formocresol