The obsolescence of formocresol

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Formaldehyde-based medicaments, particularly formocresol, have raised safety and efficacy concerns for nearly a decade.
• Formocresol is widely recognized as therapeutically outdated, with substantial academic research questioning its continued use.
• Despite a global decline, formocresol is still used at alarmingly high rates, driven by unsubstantiated bias.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent literature on formaldehyde-based medicaments in dentistry.
• To highlight the persistent safety and efficacy concerns associated with formocresol.
• To advocate for the abandonment of formocresol in dental practice based on current evidence.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific articles.
• Analysis of studies concerning formaldehyde-based medicaments.
• Synthesis of evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of formocresol.

Main Results:

• Formaldehyde is a known genotoxic and carcinogenic substance.
• Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that formocresol is therapeutically outdated.
• Despite research, formocresol's use persists, contradicting scientific findings.

Conclusions:

• The use of formocresol in dentistry is not supported by current scientific research.
• Formaldehyde's inherent risks necessitate a move away from formaldehyde-based medicaments.
• Abandoning formocresol is crucial for patient safety and aligns with modern dental practices.