Ferric sulfate pulpotomy in primary teeth with different base materials: a 2-year randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Pulpotomy is a vital pulp therapy for primary teeth.
• Ferric sulfate is a common hemostatic agent used in pulpotomy.
• The choice of base material can influence treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical and radiographic success of three base materials after ferric sulfate pulpotomy in primary molars.
• Evaluate zinc oxide-eugenol, calcium hydroxide, and mineral trioxide aggregate.
• Assess outcomes at 24 months.

Main Methods:

• 105 primary molars underwent ferric sulfate pulpotomy.
• Teeth were randomized into three groups using zinc oxide-eugenol, calcium hydroxide, or mineral trioxide aggregate as base materials.
• All teeth were restored with stainless-steel crowns.
• Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.

Main Results:

• Clinical success rates after 24 months were high and similar across groups (94.2%–97.1%).
• Radiographic success rates varied (65.7%–77.1%), with no statistically significant difference between groups.
• Internal resorption was the most frequent radiographic observation.

Conclusions:

• The selection of zinc oxide-eugenol, calcium hydroxide, or mineral trioxide aggregate did not significantly impact the clinical or radiographic success of ferric sulfate pulpotomies in primary teeth.
• All evaluated base materials demonstrated comparable efficacy.
• Further research may explore long-term radiographic changes.