Pulpotomy therapy for the primary dentition has developed along three lines: devitalization, preservation, and regeneration. Devitalization, where the intent is to destroy vital tissue, is typified by formocresol and electrocautery. Preservation, the retention of maximum vital tissue with no induction of reparative dentin, is exemplified by glutaraldehyde and ferric sulfate treatment. Regenerat...

Formocresol pulpotomy (FP) in the United States is most frequently used to treat asymptomatic caries near the pulp in primary teeth. Indirect pulp therapy (IPT) is also indicated and has a significantly higher long-term success. Pulpotomy is thought to be indicated for primary teeth with carious pulp exposures, but research shows the majority of such teeth are nonvital or questionable for treat...

Relatively few long-term studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical success of one-appointment pulpectomies in primary molar teeth. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the radiographic appearance of nonvital primary molars before and after treatment with a one-appointment formocresol pulpectomy technique. The mean length of time since pulpectomy treatment for the 6...