Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically the effectiveness of formocresol and the antibiotic paste CTZ (chloramphenicol, tetracycline and zinc oxide-eugenol) in primary teeth pulpotomies, during a 6, 12 and 24 month period.
Study design: A total of 80 pulpotomies were performed in 58 patients between three and six years of age. The patients were selected and assigned to two groups: Group I Formocresol (FC, n=40), Group II chloramphenicol-tetracycline-zinc oxide eugenol (CTZ, n=40). The teeth were restored with glass ionomer and pre-formed stainless steel crowns. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically at 6, 12 and 24 months.
Results: After 24 months of follow up a 100% and 94.3% clinical success was obtained, in the CTZ and formocresol groups respectively (x2= 0.450, p>0.05). The radiographic success was of 97.4% and 94.3% respectively (x2= 0.920, p>0.05).
Conclusion: The performance of the antibiotic paste CTZ was superior to formocresol. No statistically significant differences were observed between the treatment groups either clinically or radiographically. More randomized clinical trials should be performed before it can be indicated safely.
Keywords: Primary molars; antibiotic paste; formocresol; pulpotomy.