“A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION BETWEEN FORMOCRESOL AND DIODE LASER ASSISTED PULPOTOMY IN PRIMARY MOLARS– AN IN VIVO STUDY”

Dr. Pawan Rajendra Joshi, Dr.Sudhindra M Baliga, Dr. Nilesh V Rathi, Dr. Nilima R Thosar, Dr. Priyanti M Dharmadhikari and Dr. Pratiksha Chandak

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the effect of formocresol and diode laser on the clinical and radiographic success of pulpotomies in primary molars at 3,6 & 12 months. Study design: A double-blind clinical study was carried out on 20 children aged between 4-9 years. A total of 40 carious teeth were selected from 20 children based on clinical and radiographic criteria. All teeth were randomly assigned to either the diode laser or the formocresol pulpotomy group and were followed up clinically and radiographically at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square Test. All the clinical parameters i.e pain, sinus/fistula and pathological mobility showed 100% success in both groups at 3, 6 and 12 months. Radiographically, after 3 months, overall success rate in formocresol group (94.4%) was found to be lower as compared to laser group (100%). Similarly at 6 and 12 months, success rate was higher in laser group (6 months - 94.4% and 12 months – 78.8%) as ompared to formocresol (6 months - 78.8% and 12 months –57.8 %). Conclusion: laser pulpotomy showed better clinical as well as radiographical results than formocresol pulpotomy. Laser pulpotomy being a non pharmacological technique can be considered more favorable.

Keywords: Pulpotomy, Formocresol, Diode Laser.