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Objective: The main goal of this work is to compare the In vitro toxicity of MTA with other primary teeth pulpotomy agents., Study Design: The In vitro toxicity of MTA, calcium hydroxide, ferric sulphate solution, diluted formocresol and Buckley's formocresol were tested using MTT and Neutral Red Uptake cell viability assays. The results for MTA were compared to those obtained for the other substances using ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests (p < 0.05)., Results: MTA had the lower in vitro toxicity and Buckley's formocresol, the higher, with statically significant difference., Conclusion: Among the primary teeth pulpotomy agents tested, MTA showed the lower In vitro toxicity, standing as the most promising substitute to formocresol.

Many studies have questioned the toxic effects of formocresol, one of which is its systemic distribution. This study focused on determining whether there was risk of acute hepatic lesion after the use of intravenous formaldehyde in doses for multple pulpotomies in rats. Histological and biochemical changes were evaluated. Results showed that very high doses of formaldehyde injected into rats, doses that were much higher than those given for multiple pulp treatments in a single session in Pediatric Dentistry, showed no signs of liver toxicity.

This article reviews the history and use of formaldehyde in dentistry. Research from outside the dental field is included, particularly those articles that pertain to mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The controversies over the use of formocresol continue, despite overwhelming research citing deleterious effects.

The purpose of this study was to assess histologically the pulpal healing process after pulpotomies in rat teeth were done using two different agents: 20% dilution of formocresol (FMC) and ferric sulfate (FS). Two criteria were used: degree of inflammation and extent of pulpal involvement. Zinc oxide-eugenol paste (ZOE) or polycarboxylate cement (PCX) were placed to seal the cavity preparations. The maxillary first molars of 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were treated in this study and were divided into four groups: 1) FMC + ZOE, 2) FS + PCX, 3) FMC + PCX, and 4) FS + ZOE. After treatment the animals were sacrificed at weekly intervals for four weeks and pulpal response was evaluated according to the degree of inflammation. Other criteria were also evaluated: dentinal bridge formation, reparative dentin and odontoblastic layer. A Friedman test was performed to compare the results and find out if any differences could be found. FMC + ZOE group showed the least pulpal inflammation response, and the use of FS as an alternative agent for pulpotomies did not improve pulpal response.