Light-cured calcium hydroxide vs formocresol in human primary molar pulpotomies: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective study was to compare light-cured calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) with diluted formocresol (FC) for its success as a primary molar pulpotomy medicament


METHODS
Selection criteria included at least 2 matching, asymptomatic, contralateral primary molars requiring vital pulpotomies. Matched teeth in each patient were randomized to receive either Ca(OH)2 or FC as a pulpotomy medicament. All teeth were restored with prefabricated metal crowns. Twenty patients (34 pairs of teeth) were followed clinically and radiographically for > or =1 year. Two blinded, standardized, and calibrated examiners evaluated and scored each radiograph for signs of pathology, based upon a modified scale previously proposed.


RESULTS
Findings were grouped in: (a) 0 - 6; (b) 7 - 12; and (c) 13 - 24 month intervals. Radiographic scoring favored the FC group of the 7- to 12- and 13- to 24-month intervals (P<.05). Clinical success was similar for Ca(OH)2 (94%) and FC (97%) at 12 months or less. Beyond 12 months, clinical success varied more (Ca(OH)2=84%, FC=97%), but not significantly (P=.08). Combined success rates were lower for Ca(OH)2 (56%) than FC (94%).


CONCLUSIONS
Light-cured calcium hydroxide does not appear to be a viable alternative to diluted formocresol as a pulpotomy agent.
Zurn
Derek
D
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Dallas, TX, USA. jedidentist@yahoo.com
Seale
N Sue
NS
D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003442:Crowns; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005566:Formocresols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D011672:Pulpotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014091:Tooth Resorption / Q000209:etiology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005566:Formocresols; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D019279:Resin Cements; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C031025:formocresol; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide