Assessment of the systemic distribution and toxicity of formaldehyde following pulpotomy treatment: Part one.

This report, the first of a two-part study, was undertaken to quantitate the systemic distribution of formaldehyde from a pulpotomy site, and to compare this level to doses that elicit overt systemic pathology. Maxillary first molars of rats were pulpotomized and treated with 14C-labeled formaldehyde, for 5 minutes. Additionally, four groups of rats were infused with 10, 20, 30, or 50 percent of the first quantity applied to the site. The data show that approximately 30 percent of the 14C-formaldehyde placed in the pulp chamber was distributed systemically; 50 percent to 59 percent was expired as CO2; and 2 percent was excreted.