Effects of mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol on vital pulp after pulpotomy of primary molars: An in vivo study

Background: Preservation of pulp vitality is of utmost importance to the normal physiological functioning of tooth in situ and physiological process of exfoliation in a tooth affected by disease or trauma. Pulpotomy serves such a purpose using various medicaments applied directly on vital pulp. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically and radiographically the effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and formocresol (FC) as a pulp dressing after coronal pulp amputation (pulpotomy) in primary molars prospectively over a period of 1 year. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three healthy children, aged between 5 and 8 years, requiring pulp therapy were selected after clinical and radiographic assessment. A total of 50 maxillary and mandibular primary molars were treated by the conventional pulpotomy technique. The teeth were divided into two equal groups. In Group A, FC was used as the pulp dressing agent, and in Group B, MTA was used before restoration with stainless steel crowns. The research employed was a prospective study. The teeth treated were assessed postoperatively after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The observations were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: Clinically, both the groups showed 100% success at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. At 3 months, the radiographic success rates of FC and MTA were 92% and 96%, respectively, and at 6 and 12 months, the radiographic success rates of FC and MTA were 88% and 96%, respectively. Conclusion: MTA showed a higher success rate than FC and may be a favorable material for pulpotomy in primary molars whose pulps have been compromised by a carious or mechanical pulp exposur

Clinicopathological predictors of extent of cervical lymph node metastases in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of mandibular gingivobuccal sulcus

Introduction: Locally advanced mandibular gingivobuccal sulcus (GBS) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has variable extent of cervical lymph node metastasis. Tumor thickness reliably predicts cervical lymph node metastases in early oral SCC, its reliability in predicting the extent of neck-node positivity in locally advanced GBS SCC is poorly studied. Objectives: The objective of this study is to study the association of extent of neck-node metastases with gross tumor thickness (GTT), preoperative histological differentiation (HD), and presence of clinical skin infiltration (CSI) in locally advanced SCC of mandibular GBS. Methodology: Biopsy-proven patients with locally advanced SCC of mandibular GBS, underwent composite resection with neck dissection from Level V to Level I, from January 2012 to February 2016 were included in this study. The intraoperative GTT was measured, the HD of primary tumor and presence of CSI were noted. Specimens were grossed as per guidelines established by the Royal College of Pathologists. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, Chi-square test, and Spearman's Rank correlation test. Results: In 130 patients, with gross tumor thickness >1 cm in 64 (49%) and 1 cm, moderate-poor HD on biopsy, and presence of CSI were associated with extensive ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastases including Levels IV and V. These factors can help in predicting the extent of the neck dissection