Comparison of elctrosurgery and formocresol as pulpotomy techniques in primary teeth

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate and compare electrosurgery to formocresol pulpotomy technique in primary teeth. Forty-five primary molar teeth requiring pulpotomies in 30 children, aged 4-6 years, were selected. The teeth were divided into three groups Group I [15 teeth received formocresol pulpotomy], group II [15 teeth received electrosurgical pulpotomy [mechanical amputation of the coronal pulp and coagulation at the amputation site]], and group III [15 teeth received electrosurgical pulpotomy [cutting of coronal pulp and coagulation at the amputation site was achieved with electrosurgery]]. The teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The pulp response of the pulpotomy techniques was also, evaluated histologically in six carious primary molars planned for serial extraction after eight weeks postoperatively. After 12 months, clinical and radiographic success, as defined by absence of symptoms and signs, was 93.3% in group III. There was no significant difference between them. Histologically, the results indicated that formocresol pulpotomy and electrosurgical pulpotomy [group II] showed favorable tissue response, while in group III, inflammation and internal resorption was observed