Efficacy of Aloe Vera as A Pulpotomy Agent in Children Primary Teeth: Clinical and Radiographic Studies

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to compare effects of acemannan and formocresol as pulp-dressing agents clinically and radiographically in primary teeth.

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. Thirty healthy children aged from four to eight years, they were selected from patients attending outpatient clinic of Pediatric Dentistry department. Each child had at least bilateral deep carious lower primary molar indicated for pulpotomy. 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 study cases were recalled after three, six, nine and twelve months for clinical and radiographic evaluation.

Results: The overall clinical success rate of acemannan group was 96.5%, while formocresol group was 89.6%. The two groups were clinically successful with no statistically significant difference between them (p = 0.148). The radiographic success rate of acemannan group was 93.1%, while for formocresol group was 86.2%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.385).

Conclusion: The acemannan showed higher clinical and radiographic success rate compared to formocresol as a pulpulpotomy agent in molars. It can be considered as an acceptable biomaterial for vital pulp therapy of deep caries in primary teeth.