***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) with calcium hydroxide ( Ca(OH)2 ) clinical ly and radiographically as a pulpotomy agent in immature permanent teeth ( apexogenesis ) . METHODS Fifteen children , each with at least 2 immature permanent teeth requiring pulpotomy ( apexogenesis ) , were selected for this study . All selected teeth were evenly divided into 2 test groups . In group 1 , the conventional Ca(OH)2pulpotomy ( control ) was performed , whereas in group 2 , the MTA pulpotomy ( experimental ) was done . The children were recalled for clinical and radiographic evaluations after 3 , 6 , and 12 months . RESULTS The follow-up evaluations revealed failure due to pain and swelling detected at 6 and 12 months postoperative evaluations in only 2 teeth treated with Ca(OH)2 . The remaining 28 teeth appeared to be clinical ly and radiographically successful 12 months postoperatively . Calcific metamorphosis was a radiographic finding in 2 teeth treated with Ca(OH)2 and 4 teeth treated with MTA . CONCLUSIONS Mineral trioxide aggregate showed clinical and radiographic success as a pulpotomy agent in immature permanent teeth ( apexogenesis ) and seems to be a suitable alternative to calcium hydroxide PURPOSE To evaluate the results of using mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) in pulpotomy procedures in primary teeth . METHODS Seven patients were selected and a total of 20 molars and two canines were treated with pulpotomy procedures using MTA instead of formocresol . RESULTS After 6 months , 55 % of the molars and 100 % of the canines treated showed radiographic signs of dentin bridge formation . Also , 6 months after treatment , 60 % of the molars showed root canal calcification ( obliteration ) . Color change of the crown of the canines treated was noticeable . No clinical or radiographic signs of pathology was observed Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the effect of white mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) to that of formocresol ( FC ) as pulp dressing agents in pulpotomised primary molars . Methods In this clinical trial study , 60 lower second primary molars of 46 children were treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique . The teeth were r and omly assigned to the MTA ( experimental ) and FC ( control ) groups by r and om numbered table . Following removal of the coronal pulp and haemostasis , the pulp stumps were covered with an MTA paste in the experimental group . In the control group , FC was placed with a cotton pellet over the pulp stumps . The teeth of both groups were restored with stainless steel crowns . Children arrived for clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluation after 6 , 12 and 24 months . Results The treated teeth in FC group ( n = 18 ) were clinical ly and radiographically successful after 24 months . The radiographic follow-up evaluation revealed one failure ( furcation involvement ) in 18 molars treated with MTA after 24 months . The treated teeth in MTA group were clinical ly successful 24 months postoperatively . Pulp canal obliteration was observed in one of the teeth treated with MTA and four of the teeth treated with FC . Conclusion MTA could be used as a safe medicament for pulpotomy in cariously exposed primary molars and could be a substitute for FC The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the fracture strength of calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-filled  immature teeth decreased over time . Immature m and ibular incisors from sheep were extracted and the pulps were extirpated using an apical approach with a barbed broach , and the teeth were divided into three experimental groups . Group 1 : untreated teeth . Group 2 : the root canals were filled with calcium hydroxide paste . Group 3 : the root canals were filled with MTA . All specimens were kept in saline with 1 % antibiotics at 4 degrees C for certain periods of time : 2 weeks , 2 months , and 1 year . Then they were tested for fracture strength in an Instron testing machine . The results were subjected to statistical analysis by the Tukey-Kramer tests . A P-value ( < 0.05 ) was considered statistically significant . One tooth from each group was selected r and omly for a histological study , examining matrix metalloproteinases ( MMP2 and MMP14 ) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase ( TIMP ) . The results showed the mean fracture strengths decreased over time for all the three groups . Although the untreated teeth showed the highest value ( 45.5 MPa ) at 2 weeks , the fracture strengths decreased significantly after 2 months ( P < 0.05 ) . On the other h and , the teeth treated with  calcium hydroxide  or MTA decreased , but not significantly over time ( P > 0.05 ) . For the MTA-treated teeth , the fracture strengths were not found significantly different from the untreated or calcium hydroxide-treated teeth at 2 weeks or 2 months ( P > 0.05 ) . However , the strength was significantly higher in the MTA group compared with the other two groups after 1 year ( P < 0.05 ) . Immunofluorescence images revealed expression of collagen type 1 , MMP-2 and MMP-14 in both untreated and endodontically treated teeth . However , TIMP-2 was only observed in the MTA-treated teeth . In conclusion , the teeth with root treatment with MTA showed the highest fracture resistance at 1 year ( P < 0.05 ) . An explanation could be that MTA induced the expression of TIMP-2 in the dentin matrix and thereby possibly prevented destruction of the collagen matrix The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of different thicknesses of mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) to prevent apical leakage through the use of a protein-dye complex with Coomassie Brilliant Blue G. Sixty-four teeth were divided into 4 groups , then filled with MTA to depths of 1 , 2 , 3 , or 4 mm . Two teeth served as the positive controls . Another 2 teeth served as the negative controls . Root-filled teeth were mounted in an apparatus and then challenged with protein solution . The evaluation was conduced at 24-hour intervals for 60 days . The 1-mm-thick MTA was the least effective in preventing apical leakage ( P < .05 ) . No significance difference was found between 2- and 3-mm-thick MTA ( P > .05 ) . Four-millimeter-thick MTA was significantly more effective than the other thicknesses tested ( P < .05 ) . The results of this study suggest that the thickness of 4 mm is most adequate for the use of MTA as a root-end filling material PURPOSE The objective of this study was to assess the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) as pulp dressing material following pulpotomy in primary molars with carious pulp exposure and compare them to those of formocresol ( FC ) . METHODS Of 33 children , primary molars treated via a conventional pulpotomy technique  were r and omly assigned to the MTA  group ( 33 teeth ) or FC  group ( 29 teeth ) . Clinical and radiographic follow-up ranged between 4 and 74 months . The mean follow-up time was 38 months , with no difference between the groups . Twenty-nine teeth were followed until uneventful shedding ( mean=33 months ) . Failures were detected after a mean period of 16 months ( range=4 to 30 ) . RESULTS The success rate of pulpotomy was 97 % for MTA ( 1 failure ) and 83 % for FC ( 5 failures ) . Eight teeth presented internal resorption . In 4 of them ( 2 of each group ) , progress of the resorption process stopped and the pulp tissue was replaced by a radioopaque calcified tissue . Pulp canal obliteration was observed in 58 % of the MTA group and in 52 % of the FC group ( total=55 % ) . CONCLUSIONS MTA showed a higher ( though not statistically significant ) long-term clinical and radiographic success rate than formocresol , and can be recommended as its replacement as , unlike FC , MTA does not induce undesirable responses The purpose of the study was to compare several methods that have been used to assess marginal leakage of  root canal fillings . Sixty-three extracted , single-rooted teeth were instrumented and filled in a st and ardized manner . Teeth were r and omly divided into groups of twenty and exposed to solutions containing methylene blue dye , calcium-45 , carbon-14-labeled urea , and iodine-125-labeled albumin for 48 hours to compare the degree of leakage indicated by each technique . Methylene blue dye was found to penetrate farther up the canal than any of the isotope tracers . Carbon-14-labeled urea penetrated farther than the calcium-45- or iodine-125-labeled albumin . The mean volume of solution penetrating the teeth was exceedingly small ( 0.0011 ml ) and probably unimportant physiologically PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical , radiographical and histological findings in human third molars in which mechanical pulp exposures were capped with white ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate ( WMTA ) . METHODS Forty-eight human third molars , caries-free or with incipient caries , scheduled to be extracted , were used and r and omly divided into two groups : Group A : ( n= 24 ) received WMTA and control Group B : ( n= 24 ) received chemical set calcium hydroxide ( Dycal ) . The teeth were isolated with rubber dam and Class I cavities prepared . Pulp exposure was performed using a sterile diamond bur and confirmed by frank bleeding . A sterile cotton pellet dipped in saline solution was placed over the exposure for 60 seconds . The preparation was then lightly rinsed with water and gently air-dried . WMTA or CH was placed over the exposure site followed by a small amount of a light-cured compomer . After etching with 35 % phosphoric acid gel for 15 seconds , rinsing and blot drying , Prime and Bond NT adhesive was applied and light-cured . The cavity was then restored with a resin composite and light-cured . Evaluations were performed by phone after 7 days and clinical ly at 30 + /- 5 and 136 + /- 24 days , using st and ardized tests and radiographs . The teeth were extracted after 136 + /- 24 days ; the roots were cut + /- 4 - 5 mm from the apex to allow for rapid fixation in 10 % neutral buffered formalin . They were then processed for routine histological evaluation , embedded in paraffin , sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Brown and Brenn for recognition of bacteria . Statistical analyses were performed using a Mann-Whitney U-test , a Chi-square test , a Fisher 's exact test and an ANOVA . RESULTS No significant differences in post-operative sensitivity were reported after 7 days between the two material s ( P > 0.05 ) . Clinical examination demonstrated no significant differences at 30 + /- 5 days ( P > 0.05 ) and at 136 + /- 24 days ( P > 0.05 ) . Histological findings : 45 of 48 teeth were suitable for microscopic evaluation ( 22 with WMTA and 23 with CH ) . Twenty from the WMTA and 18 from the CH group had developed a bridge . No statistically significant differences were found for superficial and deep inflammatory cell response ( P > 0.05 ) , presence of a dentin bridge ( P > 0.01 ) , and pulp vitality ( P > 0.01 ) , between WMTA and calcium hydroxide . A statistically significant difference was found for the diameter of exposure ( P < or = 0.05 ) between WMTA ( x= 0.35 + /- 0.19 mm ) and CH ( x= 0.25 + /- 0.09 mm ) . Only a minimal association between clinical and histological findings could be established for either material After 2 yrs ' follow-up , mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) appeared suitable for this purpose AIM To compare the outcome after 6 months of the application of formocresol ( FC ) or mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) during pulpotomy in primary molar teeth . METHODOLOGY A maximum of 126 children ( aged 5 - 9 years ) with carious primary teeth that required pulpotomy were selected . Following r and omization , a st and ard pulpotomy preparation was undertaken , and the coronal pulp removed and bleeding arrested . In the FC group , cotton balls , soaked in FC , were placed for 5 min , and then the pulp chamber was filled with Zonalin , a pulpotomy agent . In the MTA group , a 1-mm-thick paste of MTA was used as a pulpotomy agent . The crowns in both groups were restored with amalgam or glass ionomer .  The teeth of 100 patients were evaluated and compared clinical ly and radiographically after 3 and 6 months . RESULTS No signs of clinical failure were observed at the 3- and 6-month follow-up appointments in either group . There were no significant differences in the radiographic findings of the teeth and surrounding tissue at the 3-month follow-up . However , at the 6-month follow-up , significantly more cases ( P = 0.036 ) with root resorption were seen in the FC group ; no cases of resorption occurred amongst the MTA cases . The surrounding tissue showed radiographic signs of post-treatment disease in four FC cases ; none was seen in the MTA cases . CONCLUSION After 6 months , pulpotomy with MTA was associated with fewer cases of root resorption and post-treatment disease .  MTA appears to be a reliable alternative material for pulpotomy in primary molar teeth PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) to that of formocresol ( FC ) 
    Output:
    
Clinical impressions have generally been favourable and support the findings of laboratory and animal-based investigations .