A Comparative Evaluation of Hydroxyapatite Crystals and Glutaraldehyde as Agents for Pulpotomy in Deciduous Molars

Success rate of three capping materials used in pulpotomy of primary molars: A randomized clinical trial

Background

Carious primary molars, symptomless, or with reversible pulpitis are most frequently treated with pulpotomy to maintain arch integrity, otherwise they would be extracted. The present study was conducted to assess clinically and radiographically the success rate of three capping materials: Nanohydroxyapatite (NHA), Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), and Formocresol (FC) in pulpotomy of primary molars.

Methods

A clinical trial was carried out on healthy, four to eight years old children, with 72- second primary molars indicated for pulpotomy. Molars were divided into 3 equal groups (24 teeth each) designated to NHA (group 1), MTA (group 2), and FC (group 3) as pulp medicaments. Treated teeth were finally restored with stainless steel crowns. Subjects were monitored clinically and radiographically after three, six, and twelve months. Statistical analysis was presented as intended to treat analysis. Categorical data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 26.

Results

By the end of the twelve months, the number and percentages of successfully treated molars for Group (1), Group (2) and Group (3) were 10 (41.7%), 19 (79.2%) and 18 (75.0%) respectively; with (NHA) group showing a significantly lower rate of success, (p = 0.019).

Conclusions

MTA is still the material of choice for pulpotomy in primary molars.

Trial Registration

This trial was registered on Clincal.Trial.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov), on February 8, 2019 (Retrospectively registered). The protocol ID is 181053. The Identifier is NCT03833557.

An Update on Newer Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Teeth: A Literature Review

Primary molars with asymptomatic reversible pulpitis are commonly treated by pulpotomy procedure. Different pulpotomy materials used so far for pulpotomy that have been mentioned in the literature have been included in this article. This literature review includes all medicaments including natural alternatives. Many significant medicaments with their success rates have been mentioned in this paper. To increase the therapeutic success of pulpotomy procedure, it is necessary to identify a novel effective and preferably natural pulpotomy medicament.