Clinical and radiographic outcomes of laser pulpotomy in vital primary teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: This was to compare clinical and radiographic success rates of laser pulpotomy with those of other pulpotomy techniques in primary teeth. Methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were searched electronically without time or language limitations. Clinical trials in which laser pulpotomy was compared with at least one other pulpotomy modality in primary teeth were selected. The bibliographic reference lists of eligible articles were also hand-searched. Odds ratios, risk differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated with the aid of Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 2.2.050, Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA). The methodological quality of articles included in the meta-analysis was determined using the Jadad scale. Results: Twelve pulpotomy studies were selected for systematic review and underwent data extraction. Of these studies, statistical analysis was conducted on 11. All clinical trials had low to moderate risks of methodological bias. The meta-analysis showed no significant differences in clinical and radiographic pulpotomy outcomes with laser compared with other techniques (p > 0.05). Likewise, no differences were found in the outcomes at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 or ≥ 18 months (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: For primary molar pulpotomy, the laser technique showed comparable clinical and radiographic results to other conventional pulpotomy medicaments, including formocresol and mineral trioxide aggregate.