Success Rate of Three Capping Materials used in Pulpotomy of Primary Molars: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Carious primary molars, symptomless, or with reversible pulpitis are most frequently treated with pulpotomy to maintain arch integrity, otherwise they would be extracted. The present study was conducted to assess clinically and radiographically the success rate of three capping materials: Nanohydroxyapatite (NHA), Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) and Formocresol (FC) in pulpotomy of primary molars. Methods: A clinical trial was carried out on healthy, four to eight years old children, with 72 second primary molars indicated for pulpotomy. Molars were divided into 3 equal groups (24 teeth each) designated to NHA (group 1), MTA (group 2) and FC (group 3) as pulp medicaments. Treated teeth were finally restored with stainless steel crowns. Subjects were monitored clinically and radiographically at three, six- and twelve-months time intervals. The difference in success rate between groups at the same time point was evaluated using Chi square test. Significant level was set at p <0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using a commercially available software program SPSS version 21. Results: The highest overall success was recorded in MTA group (90.5%), followed by FC group (76.2%). The least overall success was found in NHA group (72.2%). Statistical analysis of data revealed that the difference between the three groups was not statistically significant. Conclusions: MTA is still the material of choice for pulpotomy in primary molars. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the use of NHA as a potential alternative to MTA.Trial registration: This trial was registered on Clincal.Trial.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov.), on February 8, 2019 (Retrospectively registered). The protocol ID is 181053. The Identifier is NCT03833557.