Qualitative assessment of published studies on pulpotomy medicaments for primary molar teeth

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to perform a qualitative assessment of published clinical studies, using the Medline database between 2006 and 2016, on commonly used pulpotomy medicaments. Standardized criteria proposed by Fuks and Papagiannoulis in 2006 was used by three independent examiners who assessed a total of 64 studies and graded the papers as grades A (38-42), B1 (32-37), B2 (25-31), or C (<25) based on the score obtained. Dropout rates were calculated based on the initial sample and the final sample used for analysis. Only three papers were grade A, two of which were parts of the same clinical study with results presented at 24 and 42 months, respectively. Twelve papers were graded B1, 19 were graded B2, and 30 were graded C. The quality of evidence seemed greatest for formocresol (2 grade A, 21 grade B), followed by electro surgery (1 grade A study), calcium hydroxide (11 grade B studies), and ferric sulfate (11 grade B studies). The current qualitative assessment clearly highlights the inadequacies in the published studies, especially the study design and clinical and radiographic criteria, thus provides a basis for formulating specific guidelines for researchers embarking on conducting clinical trials on pulpotomy medicaments.