Vital pulpotomy in primary molars

abstract – Vital pulpotomy was carried out on 28 primary molars of IT) children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. As dressing material zink oxide-eugenol cement was used in 14 teeth and Ledermix® cement in 14 teeth. Contralateral teeth were treated in 13 of the children. The observation period varied from 1 to 42 months. None of the treated teeth were painful during the period of observation. Internal resorption, evaluated radiographic-ally, occurred in six teeth treated with zinc oxide-eugenol cement, and in three teeth treated with Ledermix cement. No other complications were observed. Evaluated clinically and radiographically, the treatment was thus successful in 57% of the cases with zinc oxide-eugenol cement and in 79% of the cases with Ledermix cement. Histologically, the occurrence of internal resorption was of almost the same frequency in the two groups, but the degree of resorption was considerably less in the group treated with Ledermix cement. The inflammation of the pulp tissue in the area of the amputation was clearly more severe in the group treated with zinc oxide-eugenol cement than in the group treated with Ledermix cement. Accepting the importance of correct diagnosis, this histologic study indicates that Ledermix cement, as dressing material in vital pulpotomy of primary molars, is superior to zinc oxide-eugenol cement.