ABSTRACT
Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a diode laser pulpotomy could be an acceptable alternative to formocresol pulpotomy in primary molars. Method: A randomized, single-blind split mouth study was used with a sample of 10 patients with at least two primary molars indicated for pulpotomy were selected for the study.Twenty teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups- the formocresol group that where formocresol pulpotomy was carried out and the study group where a diode laser pulpotomy was carried out. All the teeth were followed up clinically and radiographically at 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: No failures were recorded in both the groups at 1 and 3 months follow-up; while 1 tooth in each of the groups showed a radiographic failure at 6-month follow-up. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to establish laser pulpotomy an acceptable method for primary molars.