Histopathological Evaluation of Dental Pulp of Primary Teeth Pulpotomized with Formocresol with/without a Capping Agent: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the reaction of dental pulp of pulpotomized teeth with/without applying a capping agent. This study was performed as randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This split-mouth clinical trial was conducted on eight pairs of primary canine teeth scheduled for extraction as part of orthodontic treatment. The teeth were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, canine teeth were restored with amalgam after pulpotomy with formocresol. In the control group, zinc oxide eugenol paste was applied as the capping agent after pulpotomy with formocresol, and the teeth were then restored with amalgam. After 1 month, the teeth were extracted in both groups and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis. Pulp reaction was assessed in terms of pathological parameters. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test and Fisher's exact test. The statistical analysis software was SPSS 16. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of inflammation, vitality, internal resorption, bleeding, presence of osteoclasts and dentinoclasts, and internal regeneration. Dentinal bridge did not form in any group. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, formocresol pulpotomy of primary teeth can be completed without the application of a capping agent.