Comparison of success rate between chlorhexidine gluconate and calcium hydroxide in indirect pulp treatment of lower primary molars: a 6-month clinical study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical success rate of indirect pulp treatment in primary molars between chlorhexidine gluconate and calcium hydroxide.

Methods: Thirty lower primary molars with deep carious lesion from 17 healthy children, aged 3 to 8 years old, were recruited in this study. All the teeth were diagnosed as normal pulp or reversible pulpitis. From radiographic examination, radiolucency extends to the inner one-third of dentin. All the teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups for indirect pulp treatment: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate group (n=15) and calcium hydroxide (Dycal^®) group (n=15). All the teeth were restored with stainless steel crown. Clinical examination was evaluated 6 months after treatment.

Results: Seventeen children with 30 deep carious molars were followed up at 6-month recall for clinical examination. Clinical success rates of both chlorhexidine gluconate and calcium hydroxide were 100 percent. No statistically significant difference between the groups was observed (P>0.05).

Conclusions: There were no difference in success rate of indirect pulp treatment between chlorhexidine gluconate and calcium hydroxide.