Zinc oxide-eugenol and calcium hydroxide pulpectomies in baboon primary molars: histological responses.

AIM: To compare histological responses to zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) and calcium hydroxide (CH) pulpectomies in primary molar teeth with inflamed pulps. STUDY DESIGN: This was an experimental study in 17 juvenile baboons (Papio ursinus). METHODS: Pulpitis was induced with fresh human carious dentine or Streptococcus mutans placed into occlusal cavities in 78 primary molars; after 14 days a pulpectomy was performed on the same primary molars with the two root fillings randomly allocated. The root canal openings were then covered with IRM and the cavity filled with amalgam. After 90 days specimens were harvested and examined under the light microscope with the examiner blind to the treatment. RESULTS: Reaction frequencies in the ZOE-treated versus CH-treated teeth were: no recognisable pulp 89% and 82%, internal root resorption 0% and 1%, external root resorption 11% and 24%, presence of bacteria 5% and 18%, periapical abscesses 24% and 52%. STATISTICS: Fisher's exact probability test showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of periapical abscesses in the CH-treated group (P=0.03, relative risk 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: ZOE pulpectomy is preferred to CH for the treatment of infected pulps in primary molars.