Formocresol toxicity: is there a suitable alternative for pulpotomy of primary molars?

Some concern has been expressed in recent years about the use of formocresol for vital pulpotomy treatment of primary molars. This paper reviews the literature concerning the toxicity of formocresol and considers the evidence for the use of calcium hydroxide and glutaraldehyde. It is concluded that more work is required in this field before an alternative to formocresol can be recommended and that, in the meantime, a 1:5 dilution of the standard formocresol solution should be used but not included in the zinc oxide-eugenol sublining.