clinical success rate of mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomy in primary teeth

background and aim: formocresol (fc) is yet, the most common medication used for pulpotomy of primary teeth. however, its potential hazards including toxicity, mutagenicity and even some degrees of carcinogenicity are the remaining sources of concern to clinicians. this investigation was aimed at comparing the clinical success level of mta (case) treated pulps of primary teeth to that of formocresol (control). materials & methods: a group of 17 children aged 4-9 years were selected from those attended shahid beheshti, dental school. each case was served as case and control (for a matched paired teeth plan). pre and post operative x-ray (pa or bw) were also obtained in intervals of immediately before, and 6 months after the treatment associated with through clinical assessment of each tooth using clinical soundness criterias. collected data were analyzed using mc nemar test. results: in total, 40 primary teeth (22 second primary molars and 18 first primary molars) were included in this trial. statistical analysis of the data revealed no significant difference between clinical or radiographic observation of the groups in 6 month control stage. there was, however, a significant difference between the two groups for their furcation lesions being seen with a higher rate in the case of formocresol treated (control) group in 6 month follow up stage (p=0.047). conclusion: it seems that clinical and radiographic success level of mta is as acceptable as formocresol giving the suggestion of its potential replacement for a safer pulp treatment of primary teeth.j dent sch 2008 26(3): 9