Effect of Conservative Treatment on Root Resorption of Primary Molars

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of conservative dental treatment on the rate of root resorption in primary molars. Methods: Data was collected from patients' files of a private pediatric dental office. The same operator performed all treatments. Data obtained: gender, molar type, treatment type (amalgam or composite restoration, formocresol pulpotomy and stainless steel crown), patient's age when treated and at last follow-up, degree of root resorption before treatment and at last follow-up. Excluded from the study: patients younger than eight at the last follow-up, absence of homologous molars in the last visit, missing permanent successors and teeth with pathologic root resorption. The study group consisted of 843 pairs of homologous molars in which at least one had a conservative treatment. The control group consisted of 102 molar-pairs with no treatment on either side. Rate of root resorption of homologous teeth were compared according to the aforementioned parameters. Results were analyzed by the T-test and significance set at p<0.05. Results: No difference was found between the degree of root resorption of molars on both sides: 1) before the treatment, 2) in the control group at the last follow-up, and 3) with the same treatment, 4) when one side had an amalgam or composite restoration and the other side had no treatment, 5) when one side had pulpotomy and crown and the other side had a crown only, 6) when one side had pulpotomy and amalgam and the other side had amalgam only. The degree of root resorption was significantly higher in teeth with stainless steel crowns (with or without pulpotomy) compared to teeth with amalgam only. Conclusion: stainless steel crowns affect the degree of root resorption in primary molars more than they are affected by formocresol pulpotomy.