New Approaches in Vital Pulp Therapy in Permanent Teeth

Vitality of dental pulp is essential for long-term tooth survival. The aim of vital pulp therapy is to maintain healthy pulp tissue by eliminating bacteria from the dentin-pulp complex. There are several different treatment options for vital pulp therapy in extensively decayed or traumatized teeth. Pulp capping or pulpotomy procedures rely upon an accurate assessment of the pulp status, and careful management of the remaining pulp tissue. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of new approaches in vital pulp therapy in permanent teeth

Endodontic Re-Treatment of Maxillary Second Molar with Two Separate Palatal Roots: A Case Report

Maxillary second molar with two palatal roots is a rare dental anatomy. The diagnosis and treatment of exceeded root may create challenge for clinicians. The authors discuss the retreatment of a maxillary second molar in which exceeded root was undiagnosed in previous treatment. The case report underlines the importance of complete knowledge about root canal morphology which achieved by careful clinical and radiographic examination. In retreatment procedures clinicians should consider missed canals

A Review on Vital Pulp Therapy in Primary Teeth

Maintaining deciduous teeth in function until their natural exfoliation is absolutely necessary. Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is a way of saving deciduous teeth. The most important factors in success of VPT are the early diagnosis of pulp and periradicular status, preservation of the pulp vitality and proper vascularization of the pulp. Development of new biomaterials with suitable biocompatibility and seal has changed the attitudes towards preserving the reversible pulp in cariously exposed teeth. Before exposure and irreversible involvement of the pulp, indirect pulp capping (IPC) is the treatment of choice, but after the spread of inflammation within the pulp chamber and establishment of irreversible pulpitis, removal of inflamed pulp tissue is recommended. In this review, new concepts in preservation of the healthy pulp tissue in deciduous teeth and induction of the reparative dentin formation with new biomaterials instead of devitalization and the consequent destruction of vital tissues are discussed

Choice of Treatment Plan Based on Root Canal Therapy versus Extraction and Implant Placement: A Mini-Review

Case selection and treatment plan are important aspects of endodontic treatment. Dentists should organize the treatment plan based on their knowledge, abilities, skills and more importantly the patients’ preference and dentition. Indubitably, the treatment plan for each patient is exclusive and “tailor-made” and cannot be used for all patients. Dentists’ self-estimation of their abilities opens up treatment options; however, in difficult or complicated cases it is advisable to refer to a specialist. Currently, one of the most challenging aspects in dentistry is the choice between extraction and placement of implant (EPI) instead of a complicated root canal treatment (RCT). Overemphasis on one treatment plan while neglecting other options, not only mislead the dentist but also impose unnecessary charges to the patients. This mini-review compares RCT to EPI from various aspects to help practitioners in routine decision making.Keywords: Case Selection; Dental Implant; Extraction; Implant; Root Canal Treatment; Tooth Replacement; Treatment Pla

Vital Pulp Therapy with Three Different Pulpotomy Agents in Immature Molars: A Case Report

Introduction: This case report describes apexogenesis treatment of three molar teeth of an 8-year-old boy using three different pulpotomy agents. Methods: Pulpotomy was performed on decayed immature molar teeth with established irreversible pulpitis and the remaining pulp was capped with either zinc oxide eugenol, ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate or calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. Teeth were restored with stainless steel crowns. Results: Eighteen months clinical and radiographic follow-up revealed successful preservation of pulpal vitality with continued root development in all treated teeth. Conclusion: Based on this case report, CEM cement may be an alternative option for pulpotomy treatment of immature permanent molars

Efficacy of IANB and Gow-Gates Techniques in Mandibular Molars with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Prospective Randomized Double Blind Clinical Study

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and Gow-Gates techniques in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods and Materials: In this randomised, double-blind clinical trial, 80 patients referred to Mashhad Dental School, were randomly divided into two groups: IANB and Gow-Gates anaesthetic techniques using 2% lidocaine with 1:100000 epinephrine. After injection, if pain during caries/dentin removal and access cavity preparation was reported in each group, the patients once again were randomly allocated to receive buccal or lingual supplementary infiltration. Pain severity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. The rates of positive aspiration and changes in heart rate were compared between the IANB and Gow-Gates. Paired and individual t-tests and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the reduction in pain severity. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: The success rates of anaesthesia in the Gow-Gates and IANB techniques were 50% and 42.5%, respectively with no significant difference (P=0.562). Supplementary infiltrations significantly reduced pain severity in all subgroups (P<0.05). Lingual infiltration resulted in a significantly greater reduction in pain severity in the IANB group than in the Gow-Gates group (P<0.05). No significant difference in heart rate or positive aspiration results was observed between groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: In the present study, the efficacy of the IANB and Gow-Gates techniques was comparable in mandibular molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Supplementary buccal and lingual infiltration significantly reduced pain severity. Keywords: Buccal Infiltration; Gow-Gates Technique; Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block; Irreversible Pulpitis; Lingual Infiltratio

Association between Clinical Symptoms and Histological Features of Molars with Acute Pulpitis

Introduction: Diagnosis of dental pulp status on the basis of clinical signs in many cases helps clinicians to better resolve patient problems. Various studies have shown no correlation between clinical and histologic findings. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between clinical findings and histological features in extracted decayed teeth with acute pulpitis. Materials and Methods: One hundred permanent cavitated human teeth with mature apices and pulpitis, which were extracted for reasons not related to the present study, were evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected using pre-designed questionnaires. After tooth extraction, 5 micron-thick slices were prepared for microscopic assessment. General pathologist evaluated reactions to stimuli in all areas of the pulp tissue under a light microscope. When present, inflammation was classified according to the type and spread of cell detected and other histological findings, such as abscess formation, pulp stones, and pulpal fibrosis, were also recorded. Results: We found significant associations between pain characteristics, such as pain type and duration, and histological status.  Acute inflammation, severe chronic inflammation, and liquefactive necrosis increased with pain severity. Various histological sections showed the absence of pulpal inflammation. Conclusions: We found a good agreement of patients’ pain histories and pain characteristics with histological pulp status. Thus, the use of specified CHARTs and SCALEs that help patients provide the most accurate responses to questions about pain would aid the diagnosis of pulp status. In cases with an accurate pulpal diagnosis, the clinicians can manage pulpal protection when it is possible

The Effectiveness of Sonic-Activated Irrigation in Reducing Intratubular Enterococcus faecalis

Introduction: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the effectiveness of sonic activation and syringe irrigation of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in removing the Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilm. Methods and Materials: Root canals of 54 extracted human single-rooted central incisors were prepared with ProTaper S1-S2-F1-F2 and Gates Gliden burs size 1, and 2 at the working length. After sterilization, the root canals were contaminated with E. faecalis suspension and randomly assigned to three groups: G1, conventional syringe irrigation; G2, sonic agitation of NaOCl with Endo Activator system; and G3, no subjected to the mentioned irrigation techniques (negative control). Canals were sampled after the disinfection procedure. The colony forming units (CFU) count was evaluated. Samples were also visualized under fluorescent microscope to count viable bacteria. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (P<0.05). Results: There was a significant reduction in the CFU count after both irrigation techniques. There was no significant difference between two techniques (P=0.874). Using bacterial viability kit, Endo Activator displayed the least viable bacteria than the other groups (P<0.001) and control group showed the greatest one (P<0.001). Conclusion: In this in vitro study, the Endo Activator system was more successful in reducing intratubular viable bacteria compared with NaOCl syringe irrigation alone.Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Irrigation; Root Canal Disinfection; Sodium Hypochlorite; Sonic Irrigatio

Residual Dentin Thickness of Bifurcated Maxillary Premolars Following Two Post Space Preparation Methods

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effect of Gates-Glidden and Peeso reamer drills on residual dentin thickness during post space preparation in order to discover which method has minimum root structure damage. Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human maxillary premolars with bifurcations at root middle were horizontally cut 15 mm coronal to the apical end after root canal treatment. The samples were scannedby Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) before and after preparing the post space. Residual dentin thicknesses were measured at 4-, 6-, and 8-mm levels from the apex. Data were analyzed using repeated measured ANOVA. Results: Endodontic therapy and post space preparations removed more dentin within the bifurcation of both roots compared to outer dentin. The difference in residual dentin thickness was highly significant regarding stage (before and after post space preparation) in all levels and stage × device in coronal and middle levels (P<.05). This in vitro study emphasizes the minimal dentin width in the buccal root of maxillary premolars, especially near the bifurcation. Conclusion: Lack of adequate residual dentin thickness after post space preparation implies that the use of posts in maxillary first premolars should be limited. When mandatory, it is recommended that post space be prepared with Gates-Glidden drill in the palatal root of maxillary first premolars and use of Peeso reamer be avoided