Method: Twenty one primary mandibular molars of children aged 5-9 years old were criteriously selected. The teeth were randomly assigned to one of the study groups (PC, PC+CHI3 or PC+ ZrO2), and treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was made at 3, 6 and 12 months after the procedure.
Result: No signs of clinical failure were observed at all follow-up appointments for all the studied groups. No statistically significant difference regarding dentine bridge formation was found among the groups throughout the follow-up period. During the radiographic analyses the PC+ZrO2 presented the highest radiopacity compared with other groups.
Conclusion: PC and PC added of radiopacifying may serve as effective materials for pulpotomies of primary teeth. Both cements (PC+CHI3 and PC+ ZrO2) tested presented acceptable radiopacity, being easier to visualize on the radiographic exam than the PC. The results are very encouraging, but further studies and longer follow-up assessments are needed in order to determine the safe clinical indication of these new cements.