RESUMO
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the clinical and radiographic success rates of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and formocresol (FC) for pulpotomy in primary teeth. Methods: Utilizing a split-mouth technique, 106 primary molars of 36 five- to eight-year-olds were included. The teeth were selected according to specific clinical and radiographic inclusion criteria and randomly assigned to the LLLT group and FC group. A pulpotomy was performed on each molar; 53 teeth were treated with LLLT, and 53 teeth were treated using FC. Children were followed at six and 12 months for clinical and radiographic evaluation. Results: At six months, the clinical success rate was 98 percent for each group. Radiographic success was 100 percent for the LLLT group and 98 percent for the FC group. At 12 months, both groups showed a clinical success of 96.1 percent. Radiographic success at 12 months was 100 percent and 98 percent for LLLT and FC, respectively. Conclusions: Both low-level laser therapy and formocresol pulpotomy techniques showed favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes in human primary molar teeth over 12 months. Further longitudinal studies with longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes are encouraged.