Effectiveness of 4 pulpotomy techniques - Randomized controlled trial

Pulpotomy is the accepted therapy for the management of cariously exposed pulps in symptom- free primary molars; however, evidence is lacking about the most appropriate technique. The aim of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of the Er: YAG laser, calcium hydroxide, and ferric sulfate techniques with that of dilute formocresol in retaining such molars symptom- free. Two hundred primary molars in 107 healthy children were included and randomly allocated to one of the techniques. The treated teeth were blindly re- evaluated after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Descriptive data analysis and logistic regression analysis, accounting for each patient's effect by a generalized estimating equation ( GEE), were used. After 24 months, the following total and clinical success rates were determined (%): formocresol 85 ( 96), laser 78 ( 93), calcium hydroxide 53 ( 87), and ferric sulfate 86 ( 100). Only calcium hydroxide performed significantly worse than formocresol ( p = 0.001, odds ratio = 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.0- 15.5). In conclusion, calcium hydroxide is less appropriate for pulpotomies than is formocresol.