Efficacy of EMD versus calcium hydroxide in direct pulp capping of primary molars: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to compare the clinical and radiographic efficacy of enamel matrix derivative and self-hardening calcium hydroxide as direct pulp capping materials on decayed primary molars, with observation periods of 1, 6, and 12 months.

Study design: A clinical, randomized, controlled trial was performed, following the "split-mouth" design. A total of 90 primary molars were treated. Assignation of materials and operative initial side were selected in a randomized manner. Five outcome variables were considered: internal dentin resorption, pain, gingival sinus tract, root external resorption, and pathologic mobility. The appearance of any of these signs or symptoms was considered to be a failure of treatment.

Results: Significant statistical or clinical differences were not found between the study groups. Two treatments were judged as failures, 1 per study group; both occurred during the first postoperative month.

Conclusions: The technique used for direct pulp capping on primary molars in this study is recommended on the basis of the obtained clinical and radiographic results.