Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Partial Pulpotomy Versus Formocresol Pulpotomy: A Randomized, Split-Mouth, Controlled Clinical Trial with 24 Months Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success rates of mineral trioxide aggregate partial pulpotomy (PP) compared to formocresol pulpotomy (FP) in human primary molars. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, split-mouth, clinical trial, 25 healthy five- to eight-year-olds, with 50 carious primary mandibular second molars lacking clinical and radiographic evidence of pulp pathology, were selected. The selected teeth were randomly assigned into two groups, PP and FP, for vital pulp therapy. Stainless steel crowns were placed as final restorations for both groups. Clinical and radiographic evaluation at six, 12, and 24 months used the following criteria for failure: pain; swelling; sinus tract; mobility; internal or external root resorption; furcation or periapical radiolucency; and widening of periodontal ligament space. The data were analyzed using a binary logistic generalized estimating equation model. RESULTS: At the 12-month and 24-month follow-ups, one child and three children, respectively, were lost to follow-up. At the 24-month follow-up, the clinical, radiographic, and overall success rates of PP were 90.9 percent, 90.5 percent, and 81.8 percent versus FP success of 100 percent, 95.2 percent, and 95.2 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between clinical, radiographic, and overall success rate of mineral trioxide aggregate partial pulpotomy and formocresol pulpotomy overall 24 months.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Pulpotomy in Primary Molars using MTA and Formocresol Compared to 3Mixtatin: A Novel Biomaterial.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of 3Mixtatin (a combination of simvastatin and 3Mix antibiotic) with MTA and Formocresol for the pulpotomy of primary molars. STUDY DESIGN: 114 children aged 3-6 years old with 150 primary molars were randomly allocated to three groups. MTA, Formocresol or 3Mixtatin were used for Pulpotomies. Hard setting zinc oxide eugenol was used to cover these materials. The teeth were restored with amalgam. Blinded radiographic and clinical examinations were conducted at 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment for the presence of pain, tenderness to palpation and percussion, sinus tract, swelling, presence of internal or external root resorption, inter-radicular radiolucency, and periapical lesion. RESULTS: 122 teeth were available for 24-month follow-up study. The overall success rate was 78.9% for FC, 90.5% for 3Mixtatin and 88.1% for MTA group. There was no significant difference in overall success rate among the groups after 24-month follow-up (X2=2.43, df = 2, P =0.27). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated remarkable results of 3Mixtatin in pulpotomy of primary teeth at the 24-month follow-up. Therefore, 3Mixtatin may be considered as an effective material in pulpotomy of primary teeth because of its successful results.

Plasma Level Formaldehyde in Children Receiving Pulpotomy Treatment under General Anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Formocresol has long been used by dentists for pulpotomy of primary teeth. Due to some concerns regarding its possible carcinogenicity, formocresol has been the topic of numerous studies. This study sought to assess the changes in plasma level of formaldehyde of children after receiving pulpotomy under general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-five children between 2-6 years requiring dental treatments under general anesthesia were studied. Blood samples were taken of children before and after the procedure. Plasma level of formaldehyde was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: A total of 106 pulpotomy treatments were performed in 25 children using 126 cotton pellets dipped in formocresol. An increase and a decrease in plasma level of formaldehyde were noted in 5 (20%) and 20 (80%) children, respectively post-operatively compared to baseline. The t-test showed no significant difference in plasma level of formaldehyde pre- and postoperatively (P=0.12). the plasma level of formaldehyde in children who had higher levels of formaldehyde prior to the operation was also higher than that of others after the operation and this association was statistically significant (P=0.001, r=0.64). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed no significant change in the mean plasma level of formaldehyde in children who received pulpotomy under general anesthesia compared to its baseline value.

Efectividad clínica y radiográfica de la pasta antibiótica CTZ en pulpotomías de molares primarios: ensayo clínico aleatorio controlado / Clinical and radiographic effectiveness of antibiotic paste CTZ in primary molars pulpotomy: ramdomized controlled clinical trial

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar clínica y radiográficamente la efectividad de la pasta antibiótica CTZ en pulpotomías de molares primarios. Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorio controlado, en 40 molares primarios de 40 preescolares con edades entre 3 y 6 años. Los pacientes fueron seleccionados y asignados aleatoriamente a dos grupos: Formocresol (n=20), CTZ (Cloranfenicol-Tetraciclina-Oxido de Zinc Eugenol, n=20). Los dientes fueron restaurados con ionómero de vidrio y coronas metálicas de acero preformadas. La evaluación clínica y radiográfica fue realizada a los 3 y 6 meses. Se utilizó el programa SPSS v.17 para el análisis de los datos, y la aplicación del Test Exacto de Fisher al 5 %. El comportamiento clínico a los 3 meses mostró 75 % de éxito para los molares tratados con formocresol y 70 % para el CTZ. Radiográficamente se obtuvo 90 % de éxito para el grupo con formocresol y 100 % para la pasta CTZ. A los 6 meses el éxito clínico del formocresol fue de 85 % y del CTZ 80 %. El éxito radiográfico mostrado fue 65 % para los atendidos con formocresol y 80 % para el CTZ (p > 0,05). No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de tratamiento. La pasta CTZ es una alternativa en el tratamiento de pulpotomías de molares temporales. Ofrece un efecto antimicrobiano, estabilización del proceso de reabsorción radicular, sin ocasionar daños a la formación del diente permanente.

The objective of this study to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of antibiotic paste CTZ in pulpotomy of primary molars. A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed, in 40 molars of 40 patients aged 3 to 6 years. Were selected and randomly assigned to two groups: Formocresol (n=20), CTZ (Chloramphenicol-Tetracycline-Zinc Oxide Eugenol, n=20). The teeth were restored with glass ionomer and performed steel metal crowns. Clinical and radiographic evaluation procedure was performed at 3 and 6 months. SPSS v.17 program for data analysis, and application of the Fisher exact test was used 5 %. The clinical behavior at 3 months showed 75 % success rate for molars treated with formocresol and 70 % for the CTZ. Radiographically 90 % success rate for the group with formocresol and 100 % for the CTZ paste was obtained. At 6 months formocresol clinical success was 85 % and 80 % CTZ. Radiographic success was shown 65 % for those treated with formocresol and 80 % for the CTZ (p>0.05). No significant differences in the results shown were observed. CTZ paste is an alternative in the treatment of pulpotomy of molars. It provides an antimicrobial effect, stabilizing the process of root resorption, without causing damage to the permanent tooth formation.

Calcium phosphate cement as an alternative for formocresol in primary teeth pulpotomies.

BACKGROUND: Formocresol remains to be the preferred medicament in pulpotomy, despite the concerns regarding tissue devitalization and systemic toxicity. Several materials were used as alternatives, but none proved significantly advantageous. Of recent, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has been projected as an ideal pulpotomy material considering its tissue compatibility and dentinogenic properties. This study explores the suitability of a CPC formulation for pulpotomy, in comparison with formocresol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This comparative case study included 10 children (8-12 age group) having a pair of non-carious primary canines (both maxillary and mandibular) posted for extraction. Pulpotomy was performed with CPC in the right canines and formocresol in the left and sealed with IRM ® (Dentsply). The teeth were extracted at 70 ± 5 days and sectioned and stained for the histopathological evaluation. Parameters such as pulpal inflammation, tissue reaction to material, dentine bridge formation, location of dentine bridge, quality of dentine formation in bridge, and connective tissue in bridge etc. were evaluated. RESULTS: The histological assessment after 70 days showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in any of the parameters. However, CPC gave more favorable results in pulpal inflammation, with a lower score of 1.6 against 2.6 for formocresol. CPC samples showed better formation of dentine bridge in quantity and quality. The mean scores for CPC for the extent of dentine bridge formation, quality of dentine bridge and connective tissue in the bridge, were 2.0, 1.4, and 1.2 respectively, whereas the corresponding values for formocresol were 0.8, 0.2, and 1.0. CONCLUSION: CPC is more compatible to pulp tissues than formocresol and it shows good healing potential. CPC is capable of inducing dentine formation without an area of necrosis.

Brain injury due to anaphylactic shock as a result of formocresol used during root canal treatment.

AIM: Formocresol is still used in many parts of the world despite concerns over its toxicity. A case of a 45-year-old women who experienced brain injury after an analyphlactic reaction to formocresol is presented. SUMMARY: During routine root canal treatment, the patient experienced nausea and vomiting after formocresol was used as an antibacterial agent in the pulp chamber. The procedure was discontinued and the symptoms resolved. Four days later, the treatment was continued by a different dentist, and the patient developed anaphylactic shock within 10 min of placement of a formocresol-soaked cotton pellet. She received emergency medical treatment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed brain injury characterized by swelling of the gyrus in the cerebral watershed territory of the left parietal-occipital lobe. The patient subsequently made a full recovery after supportive treatment. KEY LEARNING POINTS: A type-I allergic reaction can be induced by formocresol. The reasons for the brain injury are thought to be cerebral hypoxia, which was induced by the anaphylactic shock and/or cerebral parenchymal oedema. All dentists should be aware of the risks involved in the use of formocresol and avoid using materials containing formocresol and related agents.

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of the use of four dressing materials in pulpotomized primary molars: a randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Although multiple materials have been suggested for pulpotomized primary molars, there is no reliable evidence of the superiority of one particular type. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of formocresol (FC), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), ferric sulphate, and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as pulp dressing agents in primary molars after 2 years. DESIGN: One hundred primary molars requiring pulp treatment were allocated randomly to the control (FC) and experimental groups (MTA, ferric sulphate, and NaOCl). Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Statistical analysis using Fischer's exact test was performed to determine the significant differences between groups. RESULTS: In the FC and MTA groups, 100% of the available teeth were clinically successful at all follow-up appointments. In the NaOCl group, one clinical failure was found at 18 months, and two clinical failures in the ferric sulphate group were noted at 12 and 24 months, but no significant differences were found among the groups (P = 0.41). No significant differences in radiographic success were found among all the groups at 24 months of follow-up (P = 0.303). CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences among the four materials were found at 24 months suggesting that NaOCl may be an appropriate substitute for FC.

Persuasive evidence that formocresol use in pediatric dentistry is safe.

Concern has been expressed about the safety of formocresol use in pediatric dentistry. Formaldehyde, a primary component in formocresol, is a hazardous substance and is considered a probable human carcinogen by Health Canada. However, humans inhale and ingest formaldehyde daily and also produce this compound as part of normal cellular metabolism. The human body is physiologically equipped to handle this exposure through multiple pathways for oxidation of formaldehyde to formate and incorporation into biological macromolecules via tetrahydrofolate-dependent one-carbon biosynthetic pathways. Recent re-evaluation of earlier research that examined potential health risks associated with formaldehyde exposure has shown that the research was based on flawed assumptions, which resulted in erroneous conclusions. This review examines more recent research about formaldehyde metabolism, pharmacokinetics and carcinogenicity, the results of which indicate that formaldehyde is probably not a potent human carcinogen under conditions of low exposure. Extrapolation of these research results to pediatric dentistry suggests an inconsequential risk of carcinogenesis associated with formaldehyde use in pediatric pulp therapy. Areas for further investigation are suggested.

[Garlicin and formocresol in the treatment of chronic periapical periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short period clinical responses after sealed garlicin and formocresol small cotton ball in the root canal entrance to treat chronic periapical periodontitis. METHODS: Treatment records of 185 teeth with chronic periapical periodontitis were compared. Of them, 94 teeth were treated by sealed small garlicin cotton ball in the root canal entrance, 78 were treated by sealed small formocresol cotton ball in the root canal entrance, and the other 13 were treated by sealed small normal saline cotton ball. The curative effects were evaluated through clinical observation. RESULTS: The ratios of acute reaction in 3 days following sealed garlicin, formocresol and normal saline small cotton ball were 5.1%, 10.7%, and 50% in the anterior teeth, and 5.5%, 8.0%, and 60%, in the posterior teeth, respectively. CONCLUSION: The clinical curative effects were similar between garlicin and formocresol in the short period. Formocresol can be substituted by garlicin.

Comparison of ferric sulfate, formocresol, and a combination of ferric sulfate/formocresol in primary tooth vital pulpotomies: a retrospective radiographic survey.

Studies have suggested that formocresol has toxic and carcinogenic potential. A search for an alternative medicament for primary tooth pulpotomies has led to ferric sulfate as a possible alternative. A retrospective study was done in a multipractitioner IHS (Indian Health Service) clinic. Radiographic success or failure was determined for 202 primary tooth pulpotomies performed with either formocresol, ferric sulfate, or a combination procedure of formocresol and ferric sulfate. The post-operative period for the pulpotomies ranged from one month to thirty-six plus months. There was no statistical difference in radiographic failure rates between formocresol, ferric sulfate, or the combination procedure when results were analyzed regardless of post-op period. However, when post-op periods were considered, formocresol performed better at > 36 months and the combination procedure showed significantly more failures at > 36 months.

Concentration of formocresol used by pediatric dentists in primary tooth pulpotomy.

Diluted formocresol is the most widely recommended primary tooth pulpotomy medicament, but it is not commercially available. This investigation surveyed practicing pediatric dentists about the concentration of formocresol that they use to perform pulpotomies and, if they use diluted formocresol, where they obtain it. Eight-hundred-and-six surveys were sent to a randomly selected sample of practicing pediatric dentists, and 422 were returned for a 52% response rate. Eighty-four percent of the respondents use formocresol for their primary tooth pulpotomies. Of those, 69% use full strength, 27% use diluted and 4% don't know. Sources of diluted formocresol for those who use the diluted form include: 34% who buy it that way, 58% who dilute it themselves and 8% who have the pharmacy dilute it. The majority of pediatric dentists who use formocresol for primary tooth pulpotomies use a full strength formulation.

Outcome of formocresol/ZOE sub-base pulpotomies utilizing alternative radiographic success criteria.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this investigation were to 1) measure success of a primary tooth pulpotomy technique that applies formocresol in the sub-base without the common five-minute application of a formocresol impregnated cotton pellet; and 2) compare success rates of the pulpotomy procedure using traditional criteria found throughout the literature with new criteria recently established, excluding internal resorption as a radiographic failure. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic data were collected from a retrospective chart review of patients receiving formocresol pulpotomies with the application of formocresol in the zinc oxide-eugenol sub-base. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic data were available for 196 primary molars in 122 children (followup=six to 103 months; mean=49 months). Traditional assessment of radiographic success and failure yielded a success rate of 79%. Alternative assessment excluding internal resorption as a failure yielded a 99% success rate. Most frequently observed pulpal responses were calcific metamorphosis and internal resorption. Overall clinical success was 99%. Two of the 196 teeth were extracted due to failure. A survival analysis demonstrated that the overall probability of survival remained high over time with a cumulative survival of over 95% after six years. CONCLUSIONS: The overall success rates in this study indicate that the formocresol pulpotomy technique incorporating formocresol in the zinc oxide-eugenol sub-base is a very successful treatment modality for primary molars requiring pulp therapy.

Alternative method of hemorrhage control in full strength formocresol pulpotomy.

PURPOSE: This investigation evaluated the success of a formocresol pulpotomy technique in which hemostasis was obtained with the same formocresol dampened cotton pellet used to medicate the root pulp stumps and to compare the findings of this investigation with data of published formocresol pulpotomy studies in which hemorrhage was controlled by traditional means. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic data were available for 194 primary molars in 112 patients with follow up times ranging from 5 to 109 months (mean = 38 months). RESULTS: Overall radiographic success was 87%. The most frequently observed pulpal responses were calcific metamorphosis (34%) and internal resorption (10%). Overall clinical success was 98%. Only 7 of 194 molars were extracted due to radiographic and/or clinical failure. Overall cumulative probability of survival remained high over time with a cumulative survival rate of over 94% over 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: The success rates for this variation of the formocresol technique are comparable to those success rates in the literature where hemostasis was obtained in a separate step using a nonmedicated cotton pellet. The results of this study suggest that using the same cotton pellet dampened with full strength formocresol to obtain hemorrhage control and medicate the root pulp is an acceptable variation of the traditional formocresol pulpotomy technique.

Effects of formocresol alone vs. formocresol with eugenol on macrophage adhesion to plastic surfaces.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the in-vitro effects of a European-based formocresol formulation that incorporates eugenol with formocresol alone on the adhesion of macrophages to plastic surfaces. METHODS: Macrophages were obtained from Wistar rats. The adherence capacity of macrophages to a plastic surface was determined. Assays were carried out in Eppendorf tubes incubated for 15 min at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2. The adherence index was calculated. RESULTS: Results showed that both formocresol/eugenol and formocresol alone significantly decreased the adherence index of macrophages. The formocresol formulation that incorporated eugenol was more potent in inhibiting macrophage adhesion than formocresol alone. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account that adherence to a substrate is the first step in the phagocytic process of macrophages and in antigen presentation, both formocresol formulations could inhibit macrophage function and modulate immune and inflammatory responses in dental pulp and periapical tissues.

Ferric sulfate versus dilute formocresol in pulpotomized primary molars: long-term follow up.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of ferric sulfate (FS) to that of dilute formocresol (DFC) as pulp dressing agents in pulpotomized primary molars. Ninety-six primary molars in 72 children were treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique. Fifty-eight teeth were treated by a FS solution for 15 sec, rinsed, and covered by zinc oxide-eugenol paste (ZOE). In another 38 teeth, a cotton pellet moistened with 20% DFC was placed for 5 min, removed, and the pulp stumps were covered by ZOE paste. The teeth of both groups were sealed by a second layer of intermediate restorative material (IRM) and restored with a stainless steel crown. This is a report of the clinical and radiographic examination of 55 teeth dressed with FS and 37 teeth fixed with DFC, that have been treated 6 to 34 months previously (mean 20.5 months). Four teeth were excluded from the study due to failure of the patient to present for recall. Success rates of 92.7% for the FS, and of 83.8% for the DFC were not significantly different. Four teeth (7.2%) of the FS group and two (5.4%) of the DFC group presented internal resorption. Inter-radicular radiolucencies were observed in two teeth of the FS group and three teeth of the DFC group. The latter also presented periapical lesions. Success rates of both groups were similar to those of previous studies utilizing the traditional Buckley's formocresol.

Effects of a combination of an antibacterial agent (ofloxacin) and a collagenase inhibitor (FN-439) on the healing of rat periapical lesions.

To investigate the effects of a combination of an antibacterial agent (ofloxacin) and a collagenase inhibitor (FN-439) in the root canal treatment of apical periodontitis, we studied the healing process of experimentally induced periapical lesions in rats by using immunohistochemical methods. With a topical application of a combination of ofloxacin and FN-439 following experimentally induced periapical lesions, both neutrophils and macrophages became significantly decreased in number, while active cementogenesis and extensive bone formation were seen in the periapical region. However, the use of ofloxacin alone also demonstrated a beneficial effect on periapical inflammation and healing. Therefore, it is suggested that ofloxacin is powerful against bacterial infection whether FN-439 is added. The only observed effect of a combination of ofloxacin and FN-439 is that it may more effectively inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption and activate the remodeling of the apical periodontal tissue if this combined medicament is used in a stage of active bone destruction characterized by high production of tissue collagenase.

The development of formocresol as a medicament for primary molar pulpotomy procedures.

The development of formocresol as a pulpotomy medicament is charted from the 19th Century to the present day. While the solution has come in and out of vogue, few agents can seriously challenge its efficacy. Doubts about its toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity have led, however, to a call for a more dilute formulation as well as a review of alternative medicaments. Problems arise in deriving an appropriate formula for a dilute version from existing formulations, which appear to have misinterpreted the concentration of constituents in the original solution.

Estudo histológico da ação do formocresol de Buckley's em dentes decíduos humanos pulpotomizados e selados com pasta de Oxido de Zinco e Eugenol / Histological study of deciduous teeth submitted to pulpotomy and treated with Buckley's formocresol and sealed with zinc oxide eugenol paste

Foram estudadas as alterações histológicas que ocorrem em dentes decíduos quando da pulpotomia com formocresol e técnica dos cinco minutos com formocresol ou não na pasta seladora. Em ambos tratamentos verificou-se alterações pulpares caracterizados por necrose de coagulação, inflamação e áreas de reabsorção interna. No tratamento onde se empregou formocresol na pasta seladora, notou-se mais necrose, presença de tecido eosinófilo e subjacente conjuntivo fibroso

Avaliação de pulpotomias com formocresol diluído (1/5) / Evaluation of pulpectomies with formocresol dilute (1/5)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar clínica e radiograficamente pulpotomias realizadas em molares decíduos bem como a relação desse tratamento com defeitos estruturais do esmalte de seus dentes sucessores. A amostra consistiu de 61 crianças que nas idades de 3 a 8 anos tiveram 93 molares decíduos tratados com a técnica convencional de pulpotomia, usando formocresol diluído 1/5. O período de observação variou de 24 a 54 meses. Em 32 molares decíduos com restauração satisfatória houve sucesso clínico de 100 por cento e radiográfico de 85,72 por cento nos 35 dentes examinados. Dos 52 pré-molares sucessores 17,31 por cento apresentaram leve alteração de esmalte