Pelargonium Graveolens Essential Oil as a Pulpotomy Agent in Primary Teeth

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Pelargonium Graveolens Essential Oil as a Pulpotomy Agent in Primary Teeth

The success of pulpotomy in primary teeth is critical for preserving function and arch integrity in children and depends largely on the biological properties of the medicament used. Given the limitations of mineral trioxide aggregate, Pelargonium graveolens essential oil has emerged as a potential alternative; however, its clinical performance as a pulpotomy agent remains insufficiently investigated.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Pulpitis - Reversible; Pulpotomies on Primary Molars
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Radiation; Procedure: pulpotomy

Detailed Description

The use of medicinal plants and herbal extracts in modern dentistry is steadily increasing, primarily due to their antimicrobial properties and high biocompatibility. Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium), native to South Africa, produces an essential oil rich in geraniol, citronellol, and linalool[18]. Geraniol, present in rose geranium oil, is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. The oil's main constituents, beta-citronellol and geraniol, contribute to its antifungal and wound-healing properties, making it a promising agent for treating denture-induced stomatitis

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: shaimaa eldesouky, assistant professor; Phone Number: +201008994242; Email: shaimaaeldesouky@dent.tanta.edu.eg
• Study Contact Backup: Name: nora Abo Shanady, lecturer; Phone Number: 01091230999; Email: nora_aboshanady@dent.tanta.edu.eg

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Tanta, Egypt
    • Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University
    • Contact: shaimaa eldesouky, assistant professor; Phone Number: 01008994242; Email: shaimaaeldesouky@dent.tanta.edu.eg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Restorable primary molars with deep carious lesions.
• Absence of gingival swelling or sinus tract.
• Absence of spontaneous pain
• Absence of pain on percussion.
• Absence of discontinuity of lamina dura
• Absence of internal root resorption.
• Absence of external root resorption.
• Absence of inter-radicular or periapical bone destruction (radiolucency).

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of spontaneous pain
• presence of gingival swelling or sinus tract
• presence of internal or external root resorption
• pain on percussion.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: group 2: MTA; 30 primary molars will be treated with MTA to cover pulp stumps	Procedure: Radiation; Radiographic evaluation will be performed immediately after teeth restoration (baseline radiograph), then after three, six, and twelve months for the furcation radiolucency area and bone radiodensity. A photo-simulated phosphorus plate sensor was used to take direct standardized digital radiographs. The parallel periapical technique was obtained by Rinn, which is attached to the X-ray tube with its arm fastened to the film holder that contained a coated PSP (photo-stimulated phosphorus plate). To ensure standardization during radiographic film retakes, condensation rubber base impression material will be positioned on the outside of the film holder, and the child is told to bite on it while the material is set. The sensor wil exposed to an X-ray machine (Planmeca ProX, Helsinki, Finland) with a central ray perpendicular to the sensor at 70 kVp, 6 mA, and 0.8 s. Radio-densitometric and radiometric analysis of the radiographs will be performed by RadiAnt software.; Procedure: pulpotomy; Teeth will be anesthetized then Rubber dam and high suction will be used in pulpotomy procedure. Cavity outline will be performed by sterile #330 high speed bur using water spray. Caries will be removed by large spoon excavator. When pulpal exposure occurred, the roof of pulp chamber will be removed by low speed round bur. Haemostasis will be obtained by applying pressure with a moist cotton pellet with saline. Then the test materials will be applied. after that, pulp stumps of all molars in each group will be dressed using Intermediate restorative material, then the tooth will be restored with a preformed stainless steel crown
Experimental: group 1: zinc oxide-geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil paste; 30 primary molars will be treated with geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil freshly mixed with zinc oxide powder till it reaches a suitable consistency (1:1 ratio by volume) to cover pulp stumps	Procedure: Radiation; Radiographic evaluation will be performed immediately after teeth restoration (baseline radiograph), then after three, six, and twelve months for the furcation radiolucency area and bone radiodensity. A photo-simulated phosphorus plate sensor was used to take direct standardized digital radiographs. The parallel periapical technique was obtained by Rinn, which is attached to the X-ray tube with its arm fastened to the film holder that contained a coated PSP (photo-stimulated phosphorus plate). To ensure standardization during radiographic film retakes, condensation rubber base impression material will be positioned on the outside of the film holder, and the child is told to bite on it while the material is set. The sensor wil exposed to an X-ray machine (Planmeca ProX, Helsinki, Finland) with a central ray perpendicular to the sensor at 70 kVp, 6 mA, and 0.8 s. Radio-densitometric and radiometric analysis of the radiographs will be performed by RadiAnt software.; Procedure: pulpotomy; Teeth will be anesthetized then Rubber dam and high suction will be used in pulpotomy procedure. Cavity outline will be performed by sterile #330 high speed bur using water spray. Caries will be removed by large spoon excavator. When pulpal exposure occurred, the roof of pulp chamber will be removed by low speed round bur. Haemostasis will be obtained by applying pressure with a moist cotton pellet with saline. Then the test materials will be applied. after that, pulp stumps of all molars in each group will be dressed using Intermediate restorative material, then the tooth will be restored with a preformed stainless steel crown

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
absence of pain	Measuring Method: Verbal Question to Patient /Parents Measuring Unite: score 0 for absence of pain and score 1 for presence of pain	up to 9 months
Tenderness to percussion	Measuring Method: Percussion test Measuring Unite: Binary (+/-)	up to 9 months
Furcation radiolucency	Measuring Method: periapical x-ray for assessment of radio-density of bone at the furcation area, Measuring Unit: mean value of gray level (which measures density scale between 0 to 256, with zero being the lowest value and 256 the highest dense value)	3 months
furcation radiolucency	Measuring Method: periapical x-ray for assessment of radio-density of bone at the furcation area, Measuring Unit: mean value of gray level (which measures density scale between 0 to 256, with zero being the lowest value and 256 the highest dense value)	6 months
furcation radiolucency	Description: Measuring Method: periapical x-ray for assessment of radio-density of bone at the furcation area, Measuring Unit: mean value of gray level (which measures density scale between 0 to 256, with zero being the lowest value and 256 the highest dense value)	9 months
absence of fistula	Measuring Method: Visual examination by operator Measuring Unit: score 0 for absence of swelling and score 1 for presence of swelling	up to 9 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Tanta University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: shimaa Hadwa, shimaa.hadwa@dent.tanta.edu.eg

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Holan, G., E. Eidelman, and A.B. Fuks, Long-term evaluation of pulpotomy in primary molars using mineral trioxide aggregate or formocresol. Pediatric dentistry, 2005. 27(2): p. 129-136
• Subramanyam, D. and S. Somasundaram, Clinical and radiographic outcome of herbal medicine versus standard pulpotomy medicaments in primary molars: a systematic review. J Clin Diagn Res, 2017. 11(10): p. ZE12-ZE16.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 28, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 28, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: pulpotomy; MTA; Pelargonium graveolens
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Physical Phenomena; Dentistry; Endodontics; Radiation; Pulpotomy
• Other Study ID Numbers: # R-PED-12-25-3237

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No