Skip to main content
. 2018 May 31;2018(5):CD003220. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003220.pub3

Summary of findings 2. Pulpectomy compared with pulpectomy using alternative medicament for extensive decay in primary teeth.

Pulpectomy compared with pulpectomy using alternative medicament for extensive decay in primary teeth
Population: children with extensive decay in primary teeth
Settings: primary care
Intervention: pulpectomy with 1 type of medicament
Comparison: pulpectomy using alternative medicament
Outcomes Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI) Relative effect
 (95% CI) Number of Participants
 (studies) Quality of the evidence
 (GRADE) Comments
Assumed risk Corresponding risk
Control Experimental
Endoflas versus ZOE
Clinical failure (6 months) 128 per 1000 33.3 per 1000 (6.4 per 1000 to 192 per 1000) RR 0.26 (0.05 to 1.50) 80 (2 studies) ⊕⊕⊕⊝
 moderate1 One trial assessed failure at 12 months: RR 1.00, 95% 0.07 to 14.55
Radiological failure (6 months) 128 per 1000 33.3 per 1000 (6.4 per 1000 to 192 per 1000) RR 0.26 (0.05 to 1.50) 80 (2 studies) ⊕⊕⊕⊝
 moderate1
Metapex versus ZOE
Clinical failure (12 months) 97 per 1000 68.9 per 1000 (14.6 per 1000 to 323 per 1000) RR 0.71 (0.15 to 3.33) 62 (2 studies) ⊕⊕⊕⊝
 moderate1 Results similar at 6 months
Radiological failure (12 months) 129 per 1000 129 per 1000 (40 per 1000 to 421.8 per 1000) RR 1.00 (0.31 to 3.27) 62 (2 studies) ⊕⊕⊕⊝
 moderate1 Results similar at 6 months
Other comparisons assessed in more than one trial that had treatment failures
Clinical failure The quality of the evidence was rated as low for 1 comparison: Vitapex versus ZOE (favouring ZOE)2
Radiological failure The quality of the evidence was rated as low for 2 comparisons: Vitapex versus ZOE2 (favouring ZOE); calcium hydroxide versus ZOE3

1. Downgraded 1 level due to imprecision
 2. Downgraded 2 levels due to very substantial inconsistency
 3. Downgraded 1 level due to substantial inconsistency and 1 level due to imprecision