Background: Despite customary utilization of calcium-hydroxide-iodoform-paste in treatment
of necrotic primary teeth few studies reported its use in vital pulpotomy.
Aim: This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate success rates of primary molars treated with
vital pulpotomy (VP) using calcium-hydroxide-iodoform-paste and stainless steel crowns (SSC) to
those subjected to cavity preparations (CP) & compomer restorations (CM).
Design: Eighty molars were subjected to either VP (n=40) or CP-applying double bond-
(n=40). Split mouth technique was employed. Medically free children aged four to eight years
old possessing carious lower second primary comprised inclusion criteria. Treated molars were
followed up 3, 6 & 12 months. Treated molars were considered clinically successful when free from
pain, abscess and/ or abnormal mobility. When either internal (IR) or external (ER) root resorption,
periapical (PR) or inter-radicular (IRR) radiolucency was encountered, radiographic failure was
recorded. Chi square test was used for data analysis.
Results: Clinical success was evident in 97.5% (n=39) of cases treated by VP whereas failure
in the form of abscess was noted in 2.5% (n=1) which was statistically insignificant (p=0.33).
Radiographically, success was shown in 75% (n=30) whereas failure was noted in 25% (n=10) out
of which IR, ER and IRR represented 7.5% (n=3), 15% (n=6) and 2.5% (n=1) respectively. Molars
treated by CP showed neither clinical nor radiographic signs of failure. No significant difference
was noted comparing results of molars treated by VP to CP clinically (p=0.314) whereas significant
difference was noted radiographically (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Calcium-hydroxide-iodoform-paste proved to be successful in treatment of vital
primary molars.