Consequences of endodontic treatment in primary teeth. Part I: A clinical and radiographic study of the influence of formocresol pulpotomy on the life-span of primary molars.

In the context of a study of the life-spans of primary teeth subjected to formocresol pulpotomy, 152 such teeth were compared with the corresponding teeth on the contralateral sides. The life-span of each tooth was determined by registration of the time of exfoliation or extraction. In addition, data were collected concerning factors which may influence the life-spans of teeth. The principal conclusions are: There was no significant difference in life-spans between primary teeth with or without pulpotomy. Premature loss due to extraction exerted virtually no influence on the mean life-span of primary teeth, regardless of whether a pulpotomy had been performed. There was no significant difference in the number of extractions of primary teeth with or without a formocresol pulpotomy. There was no significant difference in the mean life-span between primary teeth with vital and those with nonvital pulp at the time of formocresol pulpotomy.