Comparison of mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol as pulp medicaments for pulpotomies in primary molars

Abstract

• Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was assessed in pulpotomised primary molars.• The clinical and radiographic success rate of MTA was recorded at 24 months follow-up.• This clinical trial study showed the success of white MTA in primary molars. I N B R I E F RESEARCHPurpose The aim of this study was to compare the effect of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to that of formocresol (FC) as pulp dressing agents in pulpotomised primary molars. Methods In this clinical trial study, 60 lower second primary molars of 46 children were treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique. The teeth were randomly assigned to the MTA (experimental) and FC (control) groups by random numbered table. Following removal of the coronal pulp and haemostasis, the pulp stumps were covered with an MTA paste in the experimental group. In the control group, FC was placed with a cotton pellet over the pulp stumps. The teeth of both groups were restored with stainless steel crowns. Children arrived for clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluation after 6, 12 and 24 months. Results The treated teeth in FC group (n = 18) were clinically and radiographically successful after 24 months. The radiographic follow-up evaluation revealed one failure (furcation involvement) in 18 molars treated with MTA after 24 months. The treated teeth in MTA group were clinically successful 24 months postoperatively. Pulp canal obliteration was observed in one of the teeth treated with MTA and four of the teeth treated with FC. Conclusion MTA could be used as a safe medicament for pulpotomy in cariously exposed primary molars and could be a substitute for FC.

Clinical study of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate in primary molars. Comparison between Grey and White MTA—A long term follow-up (84 months)

“…Also, the majority of human clinical investigations with which we compared our study results, used preformed stainless crowns. 5,23,24,27,28,32,34 In the radiographic analysis performed every 6 months no signs of displacement or resorption of the MTA was seen. None Based on the results obtained in the present investigation for both types of MTA we can verify that the success rates differ depending on the type of MTA: Grey MTA allowed higher clinical and radiographic success rates.…”

“…Dentine formation showed the presence of odontoblastic activity which demonstrated the root canal pulp vitality and the absence of pathology of the treated molars. 24,32 Comparing dentine bridge formation between the two types of MTA, globally, Grey MTA induced the formation of a higher number of dentine bridges. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).…”

The obsolescence of formocresol

“…47 Many studies have shown positive results for MTA when compared with formocresol. 48 Upon histological examination animal studies have shown superior results for MTA, white Portland cement (WPC), and beta-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) over formocresol and FS. 49 Other promising possibilities include enamel matrix derivative (EMD), a material that utilises active odontogenic protein.…”

Comparison of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium Hydroxide as pulpotomy agents in Primary Molars

“…2, 3 Although, in young permanent teeth, indirect and direct pulp capping techniques are an accepted procedure, but in primary teeth it is contraindicated because of possibility of undetected avascular microscopic pulp exposure.…”