Why is formocresol used in pulpotomy?

Formocresol and ferric sulfate have been used as protective medicaments for partial or complete pulpotomy procedures, among other techniques, including electrosurgery and laser cautery. Ferric sulfate and formocresol staunch the bleeding pulp, but neither material is bioactive.

What is the purpose of formocresol?

Formocresol was first used as a root canal medication by Buckley in 1904. It is widely used in dentistry because of its antibacterial properties in root canal disinfection. [12] It contains formaldehyde, an effective alkylating agent, and cresol, a protein-coagulating phenolic compound.

What does formocresol do to pulp?

It forms bonds with the side groups of amino acids, both proteins of the bacteria and proteins of the remaining pulp tissue. Therefore, Formocresol is both a bactericidal and a mummifying agent. It kills bacteria and pulp tissue and converts them into inert compounds.

Is formocresol still used in pulpotomy?

Despite the hundreds of articles that have supported the mutagenicity (genotoxicity), carcinogenicity and toxicity of formalde- hyde, formocresol is still used today in full strength by an alarming number of clinicians around the world. 14 Formocresol is widely accepted for vital pulpotomy.

When do you use formocresol?

Formocresol is a mixture consisting of formalin, cresol and glycerine used in dentistry. It is used for vital pulpotomy of primary teeth and as a temporary intracanal medicament during root canal therapy. Buckley's solution is a 20% form of formocresol, diluted with glycerine and distilled water.

Technique for Primary Molar Tooth Pulpotomy

How do you use formocresol in RCT?

Moisten a small cotton pellet with formocresol. Blot or wring any excess liquid from the pellet. Place the cotton pellet in the pulp chamber and seal the access hole with a temporary filling material. Recall the patient after a minimum of 48 hours and remove the pellet.

Is formocresol a hemostatic agent?

Formocresol, a once popular pulpotomy agent in primary teeth, has several side effects [3]. SH is a hemostatic agent and can probably be used in pulpotomy of primary teeth [11].

Does formocresol cause protein coagulation?

Thus, formocresol immersion might have reinforced the dentin tensile strength by protein coagulation, while eugenol immersion might have reinforced the dentin tensile strength by not only protein coagulation but also chelation with hydroxyapatite.

Is formocresol a bactericidal?

The formaldehyde component of formocresol is strongly bactericidal and reversibly inhibits many enzymes in the inflammatory process. Originally, the aim of using formocresol was to completely mummify (fix) all residual pulpal tissue and necrotic material within the root canal.

Do we still need formocresol in pediatric dentistry?

The suggestion has been made recently that formocresol use in pediatric dentistry is unwarranted because of safety concerns, and consequently, formocresol use in pediatric pulp therapy is obsolete.

Is formocresol a fixative?

101 Formocresol presumably fixes affected and/or radicular tissue so that a chronic inflammation replaces an acute inflammation.

How do you stop bleeding from a pulpectomy?

If unable to do this procedure, refer the patient to an endodontist. If bleeding stops: Irrigate with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and leave in the canals and pulp chamber for 10 to 15 minutes. Dry and place calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] in the canals and close, if bleeding stops.

What can be used instead of formocresol?

Calcium phosphate cement as an alternative for formocresol in primary teeth pulpotomies. Indian J Dent Res. Jul-Aug 2013;24(4):522. doi: 10.4103/0970-9290.118370.

Who introduced formocresol pulpotomy?

Formocresol was introduced by Buckley in 1904 mixing equal parts of formalin and tricresol intended to fix nonvital pulp tissue. In 1930, Sweet used so-called commercially available “Buckley's formula” with 19% formaldehyde and 35% creosol to “mummify” (fix) the pulp tissue in six visits.

What is formocresol made of?

1. DESCRIPTION. Formocresol: 48.5% formaldehyde, 48.5% cresol, 3% glycerine. Buckley's Formocresol: 19% formaldehyde, 35% cresol, 17.5% gylcerine.

What is MTA in dentistry?

The mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a dental material with biocompatibility properties to oral and dental tissues. MTA was developed for dental root repair in endodontic treatment and it is formulated from commercial Portland cement, combined with bismuth oxide powder for radiopacity.

What is the difference between pulpotomy and pulpectomy?

In pulpotomy, the coronal part of the pulp is removed while in Pulpectomy procedure, the crown and the root canal of the pulp chamber is removed. For further understanding, Pulpotomy is a common procedure and can be referred to as baby root canal. Pulpotomy restores and saves the tooth infected by a deep cavity.

What causes tooth necrosis?

A tooth can be necrotic due to untreated decay, trauma, or multiple large fillings. When the pulp is necrotic, you have irreversible pulpitis. In this case, you will need a root canal or a tooth extraction.

What is Chemomechanical caries removal?

Chemo-mechanical caries removal involves the chemical softening of carious dentine followed by its removal by gentle excavation. The reagent involved is generated by mixing amino acids with sodium hypochlorite; N-monochloroamino acids are formed which selectively degrade demineralised collagen in carious dentine.

Why is calcium hydroxide used in root canals?

Currently calcium hydroxide is often used as an intra-canal medication during root canal treatment. It has a pH of approximately 12.5, and it has antimicrobial activity, tissue-dissolving ability, inhibits tooth resorption and induces repair by hard tissue formation.

What is MTA pulpotomy?

MTA may be used as an alternative pulpotomy agent in immature teeth with pulp exposure to stimulate pulp healing with dentin bridge formation and complete root formation. But, discoloration following MTA pulpotomy appears as a major clinical complication.

What is ferric sulfate used for in dentistry?

Ferric sulphate is commonly used in dentistry for control of bleeding during surgery or for gingival retraction. When applied directly to pulp tissue, a ferric ion-protein complex is formed which blocks the cut vessels mechanically.

Is formocresol safe for dental?

Abstract. Concern has been expressed about the safety of formocresol use in pediatric dentistry. Formaldehyde, a primary component in formocresol, is a hazardous substance and is considered a probable human carcinogen by Health Canada.

What is root canal sealer?

A root canal sealer (cement) is used in combination with the core root canal filling material, e.g. gutta-percha. The primary role of the sealer is to obliterate the irregularities between the root canal wall and the core material.

What are pulp stumps?

Pulpotomy is the term for removal of the coronal pulp with the intent of maintaining the vitality of the remaining radicular pulp tissue. From: Problem Solving in Endodontics (Fifth Edition), 2011.