Treatment of young permanent teeth pulpitis with formocresol pulpotomy

Treatment of young permanent teeth pulpitis with formocresol pulpotomy

Background: Pulpitis arising from large caries in young permanent teeth present special treatment challenges. Conventional endodontic treatment is not possible due to immaturity of the root apices. Studies presenting inexpensive, reliable, interim and long-term treatment options are lacking. Objective: These case reports present long-term outcomes of permanent teeth young children (6-12 years old) presenting with large carious lesions and treated with formocresol pulpotomies (FCP) and stainless steel crowns (SSC) or amalgam (Am) restorations. Methods: Symptomatic first permanent molars with pulpitis and/or carious exposures were treated with full-strength formocresol and received pre-crimped, permanent molar stainless steel crowns cemented with a glass ionomer cement as final restorations. Clinical exams were performed every 6 months and radiographic exams were performed every 6-12 months. Results: The median follow up period was 5 years with a range of 3-7 years. All teeth treated with FCP and SSC/Am remained clinically and radiographically asymptomatic. Pretreatment periapical radiolucencies when present resolved completely. Root development in all cases proceeded normally to completion. Conclusions: Formocresol pulpotomy with SSC is a viable, inexpensive, interim and possibly long-term treatment option for immature permanent teeth in children, with large carious lesions and pulpitis.

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