A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Tricalcium Silicate and Formocresol Pulpotomies Followed for Two to Four Years

Purpose: Tricalcium silicate (Biodentine), a new synthetic inorganic restorative cement, has shown a high rate of success in pulpotomy treatments, with few side effects. The purpose of the present randomized clinical control trial was to evaluate the long-term success of pulpotomies in human primary molars using tricalcium silicate versus formocresol. Methods: Healthy two- to 10-year-olds were treated with pulpotomies on primary molars as part of their scheduled regular dental treatment. Pulp dressing alternated randomly between tricalcium silicate and formocresol. Data were analyzed at follow-up periods up to 48 months. Results: Thirty-seven (51.4 percent) teeth with tricalcium silicate and 35 (48.6 percent) teeth with formocresol in 58 healthy children (31 boys and 27 girls) were studied. The overall success rate of the pulpotomies in this study was 94.4 percent. Tricalcium silicate was successful in 97.3 percent (36 out of 37) of the cases, and formocresol in 91.4 percent (32 out of 35). No association was found between success and type of tooth or time range from treatment to last follow-up. Conclusion: Tricalcium silicate shows a higher (though not statistically significant) success rate than formocresol in human primary molars pulpotomies followed for two to four years.