Ferric Sulfate and Formocresol pulpotomies in paediatric dental practice. A prospective–retrospective study

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To evaluate the use of formocresol (FC) and ferric sulfate (FS) as pulpotomy agents in vital pulp therapy (VPT) in primary molars by dental practitioners.

Material and methods

One hundred seventy-nine patients (aged 74.09 ± 20.75 months) who underwent pulpotomy were enrolled. The dmft, the number of visits, the filling materials, the clinical and radiological observations and complications were evaluated. Statistics: The data were analysed using chi-square, Spearman’s rank correlation and odds ratio.

Results

The analysis included the documentation of 179 patients with 276 pulpotomies: 50 (FS) and 226 (FC). The dmft was 8.54 ± 3.44. The therapeutic success was greater for FS pulpotomy and that of the two-appointment FC pulpotomy (90.6%) was higher than the one-appointment method (77.1%). Glass-ionomer cements (GIC) (53.6%), amalgam (30.0%), composites (15.6%), and steel crowns (1.8%) were used for tooth restoration. The risk of complications was lower for GI (OR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.09-4.88) compared to composite (OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.19 - 5.80).

Conclusion

For primary teeth pulpotomy dental practitioners use both FS and FC. FC has been proven to be more effective in a two-appointmet treatment. When restoration with stainless steel crown (SSC) is not feasible, it is advantageous to use GIC rather than composite.

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