Pulpotomy Medicaments used in Deciduous Dentition: An Update

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to review the history and the scientific literature published on pulpotomy medicaments and to present the findings of these studies. The review showed that pulpotomy of primary teeth has been treated with many different techniques and medicaments, that some of these approaches are controversial and that their results have presented variables of success rates in term of clinical, radiographic and histologic observation. It is important that all clinicians, particularly for pediatric dentists, be up to date with the recent trends in this area of dental treatment for children.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of biodentine versus calcium hydroxide in primary teeth pulpotomies: a retrospective study

“…In the review by Yousef H Al-Dlaigan, who analysed the success rate of the various pulp treatments, there is a success rate of 80% for CH with varying percentages depending on the follow-up and number of involved teeth [ 26 ].…”

Current trends and future perspectives of dental pulp capping materials: A systematic review

“…In the presence of pulpal inflammation, teeth can be clinically managed either by attempting to preserve the tissue in cases of reversible pulpitis, or removing it and sealing the root canal in irreversible pulpitis. Considerable controversy surrounds this issue, and pulpotomy should be considered for treating a few affected teeth in which the pulp exposure occurred through sound dentin or through carious lesions in symptom‐free teeth . Pulpotomy consists of the surgical amputation of coronally inflamed pulp, and the surface of the remaining radicular pulp may be treated with a medicament or pulp capping agent in an endeavor to maintain vitality .…”

“…4,17,40,44 Pulpotomy consists of the surgical amputation of coronally inflamed pulp, and the surface of the remaining radicular pulp may be treated with a medicament or pulp capping agent in an endeavor to maintain vitality. 40 Furthermore, pulpotomy is often indicated for immature teeth, which are frequently associated with child patients, and pulp testing in these subjects is a complex and subjective procedure. 40 The main biomaterials that have been evaluated for pulpotomy include formocresol, ferric sulfate, zinc oxide and eugenol, calcium hydroxide, MTA.…”

“…40 Furthermore, pulpotomy is often indicated for immature teeth, which are frequently associated with child patients, and pulp testing in these subjects is a complex and subjective procedure. 40 The main biomaterials that have been evaluated for pulpotomy include formocresol, ferric sulfate, zinc oxide and eugenol, calcium hydroxide, MTA. Despite the long history of calcium hydroxide in VPT, the issue is still controversial as regards pulpotomy in primary teeth, due to its caustic actions.…”

“…Later, he introduced a commercial formula that consisted of 19% formaldehyde, 35% cresol and glycerin in distilled water. 40 Although formocresol has long been considered the gold standard in pulpotomy, researchers have been questioning its use due to possible toxic effects. 41 MTA was also recently indicated for pulpotomy, and showed favorable pulpal responses in both permanent and primary teeth.…”