Clinical and Radiographic Efficacy of Low-level Laser Therapy and Formocresol as Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Molars: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Research question: To evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as a pulpotomy agent in primary molars.

Research protocol: This systematic review followed the recommendation of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline 2020.

Literature search: An electronic search of the databases was performed to find the effectiveness of LLLT over formocresol as a pulpotomy agent in primary molars in children aged between 3 and 10 years.

Data extraction: Authors independently extracted the data from the 14 included studies based on the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria comprised studies that compared the clinical and radiographical effectiveness of LLLT pulpotomy with formocresol pulpotomy in primary molars using randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Quality appraisal: The risk of bias was assessed using a tool developed by the Cochrane Collaboration for RCT studies.

Data analysis: The meta-analyses were performed using the fixed-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by a Q test and quantified with I² statistics. Radiological and clinical success among the teeth treated with either formocresol or LLLT was considered the main outcome.

Results and interpretation of results: The search resulted in 390 published studies. After the removal of duplicate studies and analysis of full-text articles, 14 studies were selected for systematic review. Overall, the results demonstrated a high risk of selection and performance bias. No statistically significant difference was found between LLLT and formocresol as pulpotomy agents when compared clinically and radiographically at 6-9 and 12-month follow-up periods. LLLT is a good alternative method to be used as a pulpotomy agent in cases of reversible pulpitis.

Key message: Low-level laser therapy is an emerging and trending branch in dentistry because of its beneficial effects in various treatment approaches. It can be effectively used in the pulpotomy procedure due to its properties to reduce pulp inflammation, improve healing, and preserve dental pulp vitality.

How to cite this article: Doiphode AR, Kalaskar R, Kalaskar A, et al. Clinical and Radiographic Efficacy of Low-level Laser Therapy and Formocresol as Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Molars: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(9):1075-1085.