Objectives: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), commonly referred to as photobiomodulation therapy, has become a technique of interest due to its anti-inflammatory action. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of LLLT (PBM)1 and formocresol (FC) for pulpotomy in human primary teeth.
Methods: This randomized split-mouth clinical trial included a sample of 106 primary molars from 36 children aged between 5-8 years. Selected teeth were equally assigned to two groups: LLLT (PBM) and FC groups. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically after 3 and 9 months and radiographically after 9 months. Mc-Nemar test was used to compare the outcomes between groups.
Results: After 3 and 9 months, the clinical success rates were 98% for both groups. The radiographic success rates were 100% in the LLLT (PBM) group and 98% for the FC group at the 9-month follow-up interval.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that LLLT (PBM) yielded favorable initial outcomes when compared to FC in human primary molar teeth over a 9-month follow-up period. Further studies with a longer follow-up period is still required in addition to histological studies for the potential healing effects of LLLT (PBM) to support the initial clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Trial Registration: This trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the ID, NCT03782714, on 22nd of December 2018.