Acemannan and Formocresol Pulpotomies in Primary Teeth: a Comparative Histopathological Study

Abstract

AIM:The present study was conducted to compare the histopathological effects of acemannan to that of formocresol as pulp-dressing agents in primary teeth underwent pulpotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aloe vera gel high molecular weight fractions (AHM) containing native ingredients of polysaccharide (acemannan) and glycoprotein (verectin) were obtained by using the patented hyper dry system after washing out coloured materials with running water from Aloe vera gel slurry. Forty-six primary first teeth from children between 6-9 years, which formerly planned for serial extraction were selected. The children were distributed into two equal groups; twelve teeth for each. Pulpotomy was done in both groups; where group I treated by AHM, acemannan, as a dressing agent while formocresol used as a dressing agent in group II. The teeth from each group were extracted at two, four, and twelve week intervals for histopathological evaluation.

RESULTS: In group I (Acemannan), after twelve weeks significantly better results in pulp inflammation, incomplete dentine bridge formation, and soft tissue organization were demonstrated (p<0.05). Most of the acemannan-treated group demonstrated no pulp inflammation with only (3/12, 25%) revealed mild pulp inflammation under the exposure site and only one tooth 1/12 teeth (8.3%) showed partial dentine bridge formation. In contrast, group II (Formocresol) moderate or severe pulp inflammation (10/12, 83%), no dentine bridge formation were observed. In almost all cases (10/12, 83%) the soft tissue of the pulp was not well organized.

CONCLUSION: According to these findings, AHM, acemannan may be a suitable agent for pulpotomy in primary teeth. Moreover, the inflammatory response was less severed and no necrosis was noted after pulpotomy with acemannan compared to formocresol.