Research: Portland cement, a possible substitute for MTA in pulpotomy of primary teeth

Pulpotomy of human primary molars with MTA and Portland cement: a randomised controlled trial
V. T. Sakai, A. B. S. Moretti, T. M. Oliveira, A. P. C. Fornetti, C. F. Santos, M. A. A. M. Machado & R. C. C. Abdo

British Dental Journal 207, E5 (2009) Published online: 24 July 2009 doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.665


Objective: This study compared the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC) as pulp dressing agents in carious primary teeth.

Methodology: Thirty carious primary mandibular molars of children aged 5-9 years old were randomly assigned to MTA or PC groups, and treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique. The teeth were restored with resin modified glass ionomer cement. Clinical and radiographic successes and failures were recorded at 6, 12, 18 and 24-month follow-up.

Results: All pulpotomised teeth were clinically and radiographically successful at all follow-up appointments. Six out of 15 teeth in the PC group and five out of 14 teeth in the MTA group exfoliated throughout the follow-up period. No statistically significant difference regarding dentine bridge formation was found between both groups throughout the follow-up period. As far as pulp canal obliteration is concerned, a statistically significant difference was detected at 6-month follow-up (p <0.05), since the beginning of mineralised material deposition could be radiographically detected in 100% and 57.14% of the teeth treated with PC and MTA, respectively.

Conclusions: Portland cement (PC) may serve as a substitute for MTA in pulpotomy of primary teeth. Besides the similar clinical and radiographic effectiveness of PC and MTA as pulpotomy dressing agents, PC has the advantage of being an inexpensive material. Before unlimited clinical use of PC, further studies with large samples and long follow-up assessments are needed.