Effect of LASER therapy Vs conventional techniques on clinical and radiographic outcomes of deciduous molar pulpotomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: To systematically review the effectiveness primary molar pulpotomy based on the clinical and radiographic outcomes using lasers over the conventional therapies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included Randomized or Quasi-randomized trials comparing LASER with conventional pulpotomy therapies (formocresol, ferric sulphate, MTA or calcium hydroxide) with atleast 6-month follow-up period was included. Risk of bias of included studies was assessed and metanalysis was done using RevMan software. RESULTS: Of the 1383 articles that were searched, only 14 studies were included for qualitative synthesis and 10 for meta- analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical success rate [OR 0.99, 95%CI (0.19,5.22)] or radiographic success rate [OR 0.77, 95%CI (0.31,1.87)] of LASER therapy compared to Formocresol in primary molar pulpotomy for 6 months. No statistically significant difference were found in clinical success rate [OR 1.04, 95%CI (0.35,3.07)] and radiographic success rate [OR 0.71, 95%CI (0.37,1.35)] at 12 month follow-up also. Comparison of LASER with Ferric Sulphate also did not show a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in clinical and radiographic outcomes of LASER pulpotomy with conventional pulpotomy (formocresol and ferric sulphate) at 6 and 12 months follow-up. However, there was considerable risk of bias in the included studies. Key words:Pulp therapy, Laser, formocresol.