Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the success rates of formocresol pulpotomy in primary molars restored with stainless steel crowns (SSC) to those restored with amalgam (AM).
Methods: Radiographs of pulpotomized primary molars restored with SSC or AM in the principal author's pediatric dentist practice were evaluated and defined as a "failure" when one or more of the following signs were present: internal (IR) or external (ER) root resorption and periapical (PR) or inter-radicular (IRR) radiolucency. Pulp canal obliteration was not regarded as failure. Three hundred and forty-one molars were available for follow-up evaluations ranging from 6 to 103 months.
Results: Forty-seven (14%) teeth were defined as "failure," with a rate of 13% (36/287) for teeth restored with SSC and 20% (11/54) for AM. This difference was not statistically significant (P>0.1). Failure rates of 2 surfaces AM was 23% (7/30), much higher than that of one surface AM (10%, 2/20). Most of the failed teeth presented more than one pathologic finding, with IR being the most frequently observed (36%), followed by ER (31%), IRR (22%) and PR (11%). Pulp canal obliteration was detected in 80% of the teeth, with similar rates in both groups. Failures were observed initially after a mean follow-up of 27 and 29 months in teeth restored with AM and SSC, respectively.
Conclusions: Pulpotomized primary molars can be successfully restored with one surface amalgam if their natural exfoliation is expected within not more than two years.