Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Biodentine as Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Molars

Background: Pulpotomy is a very common vital pulp therapy used in pediatric dentistry. It is performed in cases of reversible pulpitis of primary teeth, or sometimes in young permanent teeth. Among the pulpotomy medicaments introduced so far, MTA and Biodentine are promising with their very encouraging biocompatibility properties. This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic efficacy of MTA and Biodentine as pulpotomy agents in primary molars during a 12-month follow-up period. Methods: This study was conducted at the department of pedodontics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from April 2021 to September 2022. A total sample size of 44 primary molars (22 in each group) of children aged 4-8 years was included with signs and symptoms of reversible pulpitis. Patients were purposively selected consecutively for MTA Group A and Biodentine Group B pulpotomy. The clinical parameters-pain and tenderness to percussion and radiographic parameters-dentinal bridge formation and pathological root resorption-were recorded at baseline and followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Comparisons between groups were made by using the Chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: At 12 months, Biodentine showed a higher success rate clinically, with a 95.45% absence of pain and tenderness compared to 81.82% for MTA. Dentinal bridge formation was also higher in the Biodentine group with 54.55% as compared to MTA 36.36%, though not statistically significant, p-value=0.225. Only one pathological root resorption occurred within the MTA group, which corresponds to 4.55%, whereas none occurred within the Biodentine group. Conclusion: MTA and Biodentine showed favorable clinical and radiographic success rates as pulpotomy agents in primary molars. However, Biodentine showed an overall better performance than MTA with a higher success rate and early dentin bridge formation.