Background: The main objective of pulp therapy is to preserve the integrity and health of the teeth and their supporting tissues, as well as to maintain the pulp vitality. Formocresol (FC) is that fixing agent which is considered as gold standard and used as pulpotomy medicament for primary teeth for decades. Several concerns had been reported about the use of FC. These concerns push new medicaments to be used for pulpotomy purposes. Among these medicaments is Biodentine (BD).
Aim of the study: To compare FC and BD clinically and radiographically when used for pulpotomy of vital primary molars.
Study Design : A randomized control clinical trial (split mouth and double blind) was conducted on 43 (4-6 years-old) children with decayed vital mandibular primary molars which were treated by pulpotomy using both medicaments . All treated teeth were followed for one year (at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months clinically and at 6 and 12 months radiographically).
Results: BD showed 100% clinical and radiographic success at all follow up timing, however FC showed 85.4% and 78% radiographic success at 6 and 12 months follow up period . By clinical evaluation FC showed 95.1% success at the end of follow up period with no significant difference.
Conclusions: BD as a pulpotomy medicament showed 100% clinical and radiographic success with no statistically significant difference with FC clinically. However a statistically significant difference was recorded between both medicaments regarding their radiographic success rate where BD was superior.