[Histopathological evaluation of pulp changes after ferric sulfate and formocresol pulpotomy in primary teeth]

ABSTRACT

Formocresol is an inrtacanal medicament commonly used for pulpotomy in the primary dentition. Because of its toxic and carcinogenic potential, it has been challenged by other chemical treatments. The purpose of this study was to histologically assess the pulpal healing process in pulpotomized primary teeth, using two different agents formocresol and ferric sulfate. A total of 16 primary cuspids [8 pairs] from 8 patients who were scheduled for orthodontic extraction were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. One tooth from each pair of contralatcral teeth was assigned to either formocresol or ferric sulfate pulpotomy. Four pairs were extracted after 1 month and the other 4, after 2 months. Pulpal response was determined according to the degree of inflammation and extent of pulpal involvement. Dentinal bridge formation was also evaluated. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test. No significant difference was found between the two groups for inflammation, absecess, root resorption and dcntinal bridge formation. Necrosis was more extensive in the formocresol pulpotomy group [p<0.05]. Based on these results, formocresol can be substituted with ferric sulfate for pulpotomy of primary teeth