The effectiveness of obturation materials on pulpectomy outcomes in primary teeth: a retrospective study

Pulpectomy is an essential procedure for preserving primary teeth with irreversible pulpitis. Its success may vary according to lesion etiology, preoperative pulp condition, follow-up duration, obturation materials, restorations, and other clinical factors. This study aimed to evaluate the success of pulpectomy in primary teeth treated with different obturation materials.

Records of children aged 4-10 years who underwent pulpectomy were retrospectively retrieved and assessed using clinical and radiographic records. The success rate was determined by considering clinical and radiographic findings together. Resorption of obturation materials was assessed radiographically at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months by comparing the follow-up radiographs with the immediate post-treatment radiographs. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test.

The study evaluated 225 pulpectomised primary teeth using Endoflas (n = 85), Metapex (n = 73), and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) (n = 67) as obturating materials. The success rates were comparable among the groups at 3 months. Significant differences were observed at 6 and 9 months (p < 0.05), with ZOE showing the highest success rate, followed by Endoflas and Metapex. At 12 months, a significant difference in success rate was also observed among the groups (p = 0.001) with ZOE still demonstrating the highest success rate (92.5%), followed by Endoflas (80%) and Metapex (42.5%). Rate of resorption differed significantly among the materials (p < 0.001), with Metapex showing the highest resorption rate at 6 months (29.9%), 9 months (43.8%), and 12 months (75.3%), followed by Endoflas and ZOE.

Pulpectomy success rate was found to be highest when ZOE was used as the obturation material, followed by Endoflas and Metapex, at the 6, 9 and 12 months of follow-ups. Metapex exhibited the highest resorption rate among the three materials.