Success of electrofulguration pulpotomies covered by zinc oxide and eugenol or calcium hydroxide: a clinical study

Electrofulguration pulpotomies were completed on 47 primary molars in 38 patients, aged 3 years 1 month to 8 years 1 month. Following electrofulguration, teeth were assigned randomly to one of two groups. In group 1, a zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) base was placed over the pulpal stumps and, in group 2, a calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) base was placed. Teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 1, 3, and 6 months by two independent examiners. After 6 months, the clinical success of the ZOE and Ca(OH)2 groups was 77.39 and 81.0%, respectively. Radiographically, after 6 months, the ZOE group had a success rate of 54.6% and the Ca(OH)2 group, 57.3%. There were no statistical differences between the two groups, either clinically or radiographically.