An assessment of various medicaments used in pulp protective procedure

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of formocresol (1:5 dilution), Glutaraldehyde (2% buffered) and Dycal, clinically and radiographically, when used as a pulpotomy medicament for carious exposed vital primary molar teeth.

45 primary molar teeth were treated by conventional pulpotomy technique. They were divided into three equal groups. In Group A formocresol was used, in Group B glutaraldehyde and in Group C, Dycal was used as the pulpotomy agent.The treated teeth were assessed clinically and radiographically at 1, 3 and 4 months. The results were tabulated and statistically analysed.

The teeth in the formocresol and glutaraldehyde treated group showed 100% success both clinically and radiographically in the entire follow-up period. Whereas, the success rate for Dycal was observed to be 93.3% after the 4 month period.

Glutaraldehyde was as effective as formocresol in primary molar pulpotomy. Dycal can be used effectively, provided the pulpal status is carefully diagnosed.