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

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. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 107: 733-738)