comparison of clinical and radiographic success rates of pulpotomy in primary molars using formocresol, ferric sulfate and mineral trioxide aggregate (mta)

statement of problem: pulpotomy is the most common pulp treatment of primary molars. formocresol pulpotomy has enjoyed long-term clinical use and success, but concerns over its toxicity and mutagenicity have prompted research into other pulpotomy techniques. purpose: the aim of the present study was to compare the relative success of formocresol, ferric sulfate and mta pulpotomy methods in primary molars, using clinical and radiographic examinations. materials and methods: 135 second primary molars requiring pulpotomy treatment were selected from children between 3 and 6 years of age. they were randomly assigned to three groups according to the pulpal therapy technique: pulpotomy with formocresol, ferric sulfate, and mta. all pulpotomized teeth were restored with amalgam. the subjects selected for clinical and radiographic evaluations were monitored periodically for 3 and 12 months. results: the clinical success rate of the mta group was 82.1% after one year which was significantly less than the 100% observed in the other groups (p= 0.005). the highest and lowest radiographic success rates after one year, were encountered in the formocresol (92.5%) and mta (69.2%) groups respectively, which showed a significant difference (p=0.01). the success rate of the ferric sulfate group was 80.50%. conclusion: mta is not recommended as a pulpotomy medicament in primary teeth, but ferric sulfate may be acceptable as an alternative to formocresol.