In vivo fixative effect of formocresol on pulpotomized deciduous teeth of dogs

Formocresol was checked with respect to its in vivo fixative effect after pulpotomy, through observation of tissue resistance to necrosis. The root pulps were freed from their hard-tissue wrapping and processed for microscopic analysis after the following treatments: application of a formocresol dressing for 5 minutes or 48 hours, followed or not by capping (15 days) with zinc oxide-eugenol or with zinc oxide-eugenol-formocresol. The effect of only capping with zinc oxide-eugenol, with or without formocresol, was also recorded.