Evidence-based dentistry is a critical evaluation, awareness of the available evidence to improve decision making about the care of individual patients and / or communities. Objective: To systematically analyze the available scientific literature on clinical and radiographic results of two materials used in pulpotomy in primary teeth: formocresol and mineral trioxide aggregate. Materials and methods: It was identified relevant publications through a search of electronic databases such as MEDLINE (Ovid) and The Cochrane Library. To be included in the review, studies had to define the material used in child patients with pulp exposure by caries or tooth-alveolar trauma. Results: Of the 21 articles obtained in the initial phase of the review, only 19 were available in full text and of these only met the requirements for inclusion 6 items, which were confronted, analyzed and discussed later. Conclusions: The clinical evidence available showed significant differences regarding the use of a material or another. In addition to the findings of clinical follow - radiographic and taking into account the potential toxicity of formocresol suggest the use of mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomy of primary teeth.