Effects of folk medicinal plant extract Ankaferd Blood stopper® in vital primary molar pulpotomy

AIM: To compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of two vital pulpotomy agents: formocresol (FC) and Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS), in primary molars during a 12-month follow-up period. STUDY DESIGN : A randomised, single-blind study design was used in a sample of 30 healthy 6–9 year old children with 60 carious primary molars without clinical or radiographic evidence of pulp degeneration. METHODS : The pulpotomy agents were assigned as follows: Group 1 was 1:5 diluted Buckley’s formocresol (FC) and Group 2 was ABS. Clinical and radiographic follow-up at 3, 6, and 12 months used the following criteria: pain, swelling, sinus tract, mobility, internal root resorption, and furcation and/or periapical bone destruction. STATISTICS : The data were analysed using Chi-square tests. RESULTS : The clinical and radiographic evaluation at 3 months revealed total success rates of 100% in the FC and ABS groups. Success rates in FC and ABS groups at 6 months were 96.7% and 93.3% respectively. At the 12-month follow-ups, the total success rates in the FC, and ABS groups were 89.3% and 85.7%, respectively. When the groups were compared according to the time intervals, no significant differences were observed between the 3, 6, and 12 month values. The success rates of the materials decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS: FC and ABS were found successful as pulp dressings in primary molars. ABS appears to be an alternative pulpotomy agent but periodical follow-ups must be considered to evaluate long term success rates.