Clinical and radiographic evaluation of the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite as a haemostatic agent compared with physiologic saline on the success of calcium hydroxide pulpotomies in primary molars: an in vivo study.

Aim: To evaluate, via clinical and radiographic assessment; the success of calcium hydroxide pulpotomies with the application of 5% sodium hypochlorite as a haemostatic agent compared with physiologic saline in primary molars and to evaluate if there is improved efficacy of increased concentration of sodium hypochlorite application in calcium hydroxide pulpotomies.

Methods: Thirty children aged between 3 and 8 years, having at least two vital primary molars (split mouth design) with deep carious lesions with probable exposure of the pulp, were selected. The 60 teeth were randomly allocated to two groups and conventional calcium hydroxide pulpotomies were performed on all selected primary molars in both the groups. A cotton pellet saturated with 5% sodium hypochlorite was applied to teeth as a haemostatic agent in group A (experimental) for 30 s while physiologic saline was used to manage haemorrhage in group B (control). Teeth were restored with preformed metal crowns (PMC) in both the groups after the procedure. Evaluation for clinical and radiological success of calcium hydroxide pulpotomies was performed at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up.

Results: Statistical analysis did not show (p > 0.05) significant differences in the clinical and radiological success rates of calcium hydroxide pulpotomies in both the groups at 12 months follow-up.

Conclusion: The increased concentration of sodium hypochlorite showed lower success rate in calcium hydroxide pulpotomies when compared to physiologic saline, although this difference was not statistically significant.