The obsolescence of formocresol

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Formaldehyde-based medicaments, specifically formocresol, have raised safety and efficacy concerns for nearly a decade.
• Formocresol is widely recognized as therapeutically outdated, with a significant body of academic research questioning its continued use.
• Despite a global decline, formocresol persists in dental practice due to unsubstantiated bias, posing ongoing health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent scientific literature on the safety and efficacy of formocresol.
• To highlight the genotoxic and carcinogenic risks associated with formaldehyde.
• To advocate for the discontinuation of formocresol in dental treatments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent articles concerning formocresol and formaldehyde.
• Analysis of safety and efficacy data.
• Assessment of genotoxic and carcinogenic potential.

Main Results:

• Formaldehyde is a known genotoxic and carcinogenic agent.
• Formocresol's therapeutic efficacy is questionable and considered outdated.
• Despite declining use, formocresol remains in use, contrary to scientific evidence.

Conclusions:

• The use of formocresol in dentistry should be abandoned.
• Formaldehyde-based medicaments present significant health risks.
• Evidence supports transitioning away from formocresol to safer alternatives.