Evaluation of the effect of using electrosurgery in pulpectomy of deciduous teeth on succedaneous teeth: an animal study.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the probable side effects of electrosurgery in pulpectomy of deciduous teeth on succedaneous teeth in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this animal study, all maxillary and mandibular teeth at one side of five puppies' mouths were treated employing electrosurgical pulpectomy and were then compared with those of the other side treated using the conventional method. The electrosurgical dental electrode was placed in canals to the point of working length for the experimental group. After pulpectomy, the canals were filled with zinc oxide eugenol paste and the access cavity was restored with amalgam. The dogs remained under care until their successor teeth erupted and clinical examination was performed. RESULTS The teeth treated employing electrosurgical pulpectomy presented natural appearance with no observable defects including enamel hypoplasia, diffuse opacities of enamel, demarcated opacities, and enamel discoloration. CONCLUSION Electrosurgical pulpectomy can be considered as an option for pulpectomy of deciduous teeth.