Comparison of the Effectiveness of Chemo-mechanical and Traditional Caries Removal Methods in Primary Teeth Using Micro-Computed Tomography

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dentin mineral density before and after caries removal with the traditional caries removal technique and chemo-mechanical method, with or without the use of caries detection dye. Our null hypothesis was that the chemo-mechanical method with minimally invasive treatment would achieve an effect similar to that of conservative pediatric dentistry treatment. Materials & Methods: Forty-eight medium-sized, interfacial decayed primary molar teeth without pulpal perforation were selected. Two groups were formed by Papacarie Duo and conventional method; then four sub-groups were formed by two caries detection dye applied or not applied groups, twelve teeth were randomly divided into each group. The teeth were then treated with chemo mechanical and traditional caries removal approach. Teeth were scanned with the same voxel sizes using micro-computed tomography images to figure out the difference dentin mineral density and to calculate the removed dentinal volume after chemo-mechanical or traditional method application. Results: The results showed increase of cavity volume in the chemo-mechanical and traditional method groups. No significant difference was found for cavity volume and dentinal carious volume in both groups (p>0.05). The mineral density values of demineralized dentin were between 0.52-0.66 g/cm3 before caries removal, and 1.39-1.59 g/cm3 after removing caries. These values were found to be within the range of healthy dentin mineral density values again without any significant difference between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, chemo-mechanical methods can be used effectively for removing the caries in the primary molar teeth similar to conservative treatments.

The Use of Hall’s Technique Preformed Metal Crown (HTPMC) by Pediatric Dentists in Malaysia

Introduction. Hall’s technique preformed metal crown (HTPMC) has been used widely by pediatric dentists in developed countries as a new approach for managing decayed primary molars without local anesthesia, caries removal, and tooth preparation. Currently, inadequate information is available regarding the implementation of this technique (HTPMC) in Malaysia. This study is aimed at evaluating the implementation of HTPMC by Malaysia’s pediatric dentists and identify the co-occurrence frequencies of the HTPMC implementation with the respondents’ demographic profile. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based research was conducted among 65 pediatric dentists in Malaysia. Online questionnaires were distributed to the pediatric dentists employed at public hospitals (MOH) and universities in Malaysia. Result. It was found that over half of the respondents (65.6%) employed HTPMC. The analysis of the co-occurrence network frequency revealed that a high frequency of female pediatric dentists who were within the age group of 31-40 years old had fulfilled their postgraduation overseas and was employed in the university mainly applied HTPMC. Conclusion. The application of HTPMC among respondent pediatric dentists in Malaysia was high. However, most respondents considered HTPMC a treatment option only to manage carious primary molar rather than a treatment of choice.

Childhood malnutrition and hypo mineralized molar defects: a cross sectional study

Background: Malnutrition is well-known to yield high morbidities and mortalities and considering its consequence on the oral cavity, malnutrition is shown to have pre-eruptive and post-eruptive outcomes. The objective was to assess the prevalence of hypo-mineralized second primary molar (HSPM), molar–incisor hypo-mineralization (MIH) and dental caries in malnourished children as well as addressing the relation between types of malnutrition of the children and their dental morbidities represented in HSPM, MIH and dental caries. Methods: This is a cross sectional analytical study. Malnourished children aged 5-10 years and presented to the Outpatient Clinic of Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University were examined for HSPM. MIH using European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria and dental Caries using def/ DMF indices. Results: A consecutive sample (a long six months) of 54 malnourished children were enrolled in the study. Dental caries was a greater dental morbidity in the overweight and obese group. Besides, stunting was a greater risk in HSPM and MIH. There was an association between HSPM and MIH in a considerable percentage of the study group. Conclusions: Malnutrition is a risk factor for dental abnormalities. HSPM could expect the presence of MIH.

Comparative Evaluation of the Success Rate of Pulpotomy in Primary Molars Using Ferric Sulphate (FS) and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA): A Clinical and Radiographic Study

Purpose: The aim of this present study was to observe clinical, radiographic response of pulp to Ferric Sulphate and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate when used as pulpotomy agent in primary molars. Materials and Methods: Sixty restorable primary molars were selected for the study. The children were chosen who require minimum two pulpotomies in either arch preferably each on the opposite side (i.e. right and left). Primary molars on the right side of the patient were assigned to Ferric Sulphate (FS) (Group A) and left side was assigned for the Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) (Group B). Statistical analysis was done for pain, swelling, sinus, and fistula and for internal resorption, furcation radiolucency and periapical pathology using the chi-square test. Results: outcome of the present study was observed at 3 month interval and after 6 months. The clinical success rate for MTA (AQUA) and ferric sulphate during 3 and 6 month follow up was 100%. The radiographic follow up of MTA was 100% during 3 and 6 month, whereas it was 96.6% for 3 and 6 month follow up with respect to ferric sulphate. There were no significant differences in the clinical (p>0.1) and radiographic (p>0.98) success rates among both the groups. Conclusion: ferric sulphate was found to be equally effective when compared with MTA. Radiographic success rate was lower for Ferric sulphate (Group A) than that of MTA (Group B) with occurrence of one internal resorption seen with first primary molar.

Treatment of primary molar utilizing lesion sterilization and tissue repair: a case report

Aim: Non-instrumental endodontic therapy has stood out for being a minimal intervention approach that uses a mixture of antibiotics to disinfect the root canals. The purpose of this case report was to describe the treatment and 36-month follow-up of a deciduous necrotic molar using the modified technique of “Injury Sterilization and Tissue Repair” (LSTR). Methodology: A 5-year-old female patient sought dental care complaining of pain in the region of tooth 85 whose oral clinical examination revealed the presence of caries with pulp involvement. In the preoperative period (T1), the patient presented with fistula, abscess and edema. Endodontic treatment was performed using the LSTR technique with triple antibiotic paste. In the follow-up, due to radiographic aspects, a large interradicular lesion was observed in T1 and at the end of the follow-up (T4 / T5), complete bone regeneration was observed in the region. Conclusion: Due to the high antibacterial efficacy of the paste used, the LSTR technique showed satisfactory results in the pulpectomy of a deciduous necrotic molar. Clinical significance: This technique shows the potential to be used in cases to being performed in a shorter operative time, which can be useful in the treatment of children with negative behavior.

Comparative effectiveness research of two glass ionomer cements for primary molar fissure sealing

Relevance. A glass ionomer cement (GIC) is the material for primary teeth fissure sealing in children. The research aimed to study the comparative effectiveness of two GIC pit and fissure sealants in primary molars.Materials and methods. Sixty-one children aged 2-5 years (mean 26.99 ± 0.55 months) participated in the study after obtaining the Local Ethical Committee’s permission and the parents’ informed consents. Non-invasive fissure sealing in primary molars was performed according to split-mouth design with two GIC: Fujy-9, GC, Japan (109 teeth, FV-group) and Polyakrilin, TehnoDent, Russia (106 teeth, PV-group). Follow-ups were provided after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Complete retention, partial retention or complete loss (%) of the sealants and the frequency (%) of fissure caries development were calculated. The chi-square criterion was used to assess the significance of the differences between the groups at p-value < 0.05.Results. In 6 and 12 months, all the cases demonstrated complete or partial sealant retention and the absence of pit and fissure caries. The following results were found after 24 months: complete GIC retention in 8.6% of molars in FV-group and 1.9% in PV-group, (p < 0.05), partial retention – 78.8% and 79.0% (p > 0.05) respectively, complete loss – 6.7% and 11.4% respectively (p > 0,05). Fissure carious lesions were found only after 18 and 24 months in 2.8% cases in FV-group and 3.8% cases in PV-group, p > 0,05.Conclusions. Both studied GICs for non-invasive primary molar fissure sealing were equally highly effective for pit and fissure caries prevention in children. Annual follow-ups in children are necessary for GIC sealant repair.

Bilateral Symmetry of Number and Size of Dental Caries Lesions among Children

Aim. To determine the bilateral occurrence of caries lesions in 5–12-year-old children, and to assess whether one bitewing photograph can predict caries size and occurrence in the homologous tooth on the other side of the mouth. Study design. The study was carried out on 222 medical files of children 5–12 years old who were first examined in the university dental clinic. The presence and size of the caries lesions in the first and second primary molars and first permanent molars were recorded. Results. No correlation was found when comparing the caries lesion distribution of each tooth’s proximal surface. Seventy-one of the X-rays demonstrated a single caries lesion in a first or second primary molar or in a first permanent molar on one side of the mouth, of which 21.3% demonstrated a single caries lesion in the collateral side, 43.6% demonstrated 2 or more lesions, and 35.21% did not have any caries lesion on the collateral side of the mouth. Conclusion. One bitewing cannot determine the presence and size of a caries lesion on the same site of the homologous tooth.