Jun 01,2025 Dentistry, Scientific research & Postgraduate Studies

Treatment outcomes of pulpotomy in primary molars utilizing 2.25% sodium hypochlorite gel: a randomized controlled trial

Researchers

Mawia Karkoutly, Amirah Alnour, Amjad Abu Hasna, Ok Hyung Nam, Saleh Al Kurdi and Nada Bshara

Published in

BMC Oral Health, volume 25, article number 1052, July 2025.

 

Abstract

Background: Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) gel can be a potential substitute in daily pediatric dentistry practice. Given its high antimicrobial efficacy, NaOCl gel is expected to induce healing and improve pulpotomy treatment outcomes. This study aimed to perform a histological, clinical, and radiographical evaluation of pulpotomy in human primary molars utilizing 2.25% (NaOCl) gel as a medicament, followed by white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) as a base material.

Materials and methods: A randomized, second-blinded, split-mouth clinical trial was conducted in cooperative patients aged 8–10 years with 48 carious first primary molars, which were treated by: (I) NaOCl gel group: following hemostasis, teeth were pulpotomized utilizing 2.25% NaOCl gel, and then WMTA paste was applied as a dressing material, and (II) control group: following hemostasis, WMTA paste was applied as a dressing material. Later, each group was sub-divided into three sub-groups (n = 8) according to the time planned for serial extraction: (I) 7 days, (II) 30 days, and (III) 90 days for histological evaluation. In addition, 40 s primary molars in cooperative patients aged 5–10 years indicated for pulpotomy were randomly allocated into two groups for clinical and radiographical evaluation at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up. Data were analyzed by applying the chi-square test (p < 0.05).

Results: NaOCl gel improved odontoblastic integrity and dentin bridge formation (p < 0.001) without increasing pulp necrosis or calcifications. The NaOCl gel group showed a 90% clinical and radiographical success rate at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. In the control group, the clinical success rate was 85% after 3, 6, and 12 months, whereas the radiographical success rate was 100% at 3 months and decreased to 85% after 6 and 12 months.

Conclusions: Utilizing 2.25% NaOCl gel as a medicament in human primary molars pulpotomy improved the treatment outcomes of the WMTA.

Keywords: Pulpotomy, Primary teeth, Molar, Sodium hypochlorite, Mineral trioxide aggregate.

Link to full paper

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06438-9