Ferric sulfate pulpotomy in primary molars: A retrospective study

Purpose: This investigation collected clinical and radiographic data from a retrospective chart review of patients receiving ferric sulfate pulpotomies with a sub-base of zinc oxide eugenol in a clinical practice over a five-year period. Methods and Materials: Clinical and radiographic data were available for 242 primary molars in 171 children with follow-up times ranging from 4-57 mos (mean=19 mos). Results: The overall radiographic success rate ranged from 74-80%. The frequency of normal appearing pulps decreased over time. The most frequently observed pulpal responses were calcific metamorphosis (6-33%) and internal resorption (7-18%). Overall clinical success was 99%. Only 9 of the 242 teeth were extracted due to radiographic and/or clinical failure. A survival analysis demonstrated that the overall cumulative probability of survival remained high over time with a cumulative survival of over 90% after 3 years. Conclusions: The overall success rates in this study are lower than those reported previously in the literature for ferric sulfate pulpotomies, but are comparable with those reported for 1:5 dilution, 5-min formocresol pulpotomies.