Pulpectomies with Iodoform Versus Calcium Hydroxide-Based Paste: A Preliminary Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare clinical and radiographical pulpectomy outcomes in primary teeth filled with different pastes. Material and Methods: The sample included thirty-eight teeth indicated for pulpectomy due to irreversible pulp inflammation or necrosis from thirty patients (2 to 9 years old). The first appointment comprised chemomechanical preparation (2.5% sodium hypochlorite), smear layer removal (6% citric acid), intracanal dressing and temporary restoration. Seven days later, teeth were randomly assigned to filling with iodoform (IP) or calcium hydroxide with zinc oxide (CHZO) based pastes and temporarily restored. Final restoration (composite resin) occurred at the 3rd appointment. Data from baseline, 6 and 12 months were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (p≤0.05). Results: The overall frequency of success was 63.6% (n=21), with no significant difference between groups (IP=62.5% n=10; CHZO=64.7% n=11, p=0.59). Multiradicular teeth, overfilled canals and teeth whose coronal restoration have been lost were significantly associated with failure (p=0.01, p=0.04 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: After 12 months, both pastes showed similar outcomes and can be used as good options for pulpectomies in primary teeth. Moreover, tooth location, extent of the root canal filling, and integrity of final restoration during the follow-up influenced the outcome of pulpectomies.

The effect of a chemomechanical protocol to eliminate microorganisms from pulpectomized primary teeth: three case reports

Introduction: Description of the bacterial community before and after chemomechanical preparation (CP) with the removal of a smear layer (SL) in pulpectomized primary teeth has been little reported. Objective: These case reports describe the presence of total microorganisms and Enterococcus faecalis in root canals of primary incisors before and after CP with SL removal. Case Reports: Microbiological samples were collected from the root canals of three children (3.66±0.58 years old) with necrosis (n=2) and irreversible pulpal inflammation (n=1) in maxillary primary incisors. After teeth isolation with a rubber dam and antisepsis of the operative field, the sample collections were performed with sterile absorbent paper cones before and after the CP, which included irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite followed by 6% citric acid to remove the SL. The collected samples were analysed immediately at the end of the clinical procedures. The plates were incubated anaerobically for 48 hours at 37°C. The results were expressed as colony forming units (CFU)/mL. Results: Two of the three teeth showed total microorganisms before the CP. One incisor had no microorganisms in the initial collection. No CFU was counted in the samples collected after CP. Moreover, E. faecalis was not observed any time, either before or after the CP. Conclusions: E. faecalis was not detected in any sample, yet two of the three root canals had microorganisms before CP. In cases where microorganisms were initially found, 100% elimination was observed after the applied protocol.

Introdução: A descrição da comunidade bacteriana antes e após o preparo químico-mecânico (PQM) com remoção da smear layer (SL) em dentes decíduos pulpectomizados tem sido pouco relatada. Objetivo: Esses relatos de casos descrevem a presença de microrganismos totais e Enterococcus faecalis em canais radiculares de incisivos decíduos antes e após PQM com remoção de SL. Relatos dos Casos: Amostras microbiológicas foram coletadas do canal radicular de três crianças (3,66 ± 0,58 anos) com necrose (n = 2) e inflamação pulpar irreversível (n= 1) em incisivos decíduos superiores. Após o isolamento dos dentes com dique de borracha e antissepsia do campo operatório, as coletas das amostras foram realizadas com cones de papel absorvente estéril antes e após o PQM, que incluiu irrigação com hipoclorito de sódio 2,5% seguido de ácido cítrico 6% para retirada do SL. As amostras coletadas foram analisadas imediatamente ao final dos procedimentos clínicos. As placas foram incubadas em anaerobiose durante 48 horas a 37°C. Os resultados foram expressos em unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC)/mL. Resultados: Dois dos três dentes apresentaram microrganismos totais antes do PQM. Um incisivo não apresentava microrganismos na coleta inicial. Nenhuma UFC foi contada nas amostras coletadas após o PQM. Além disso, o E. faecalis não foi observado nenhum momento, nem antes, nem depois do PQM. Conclusão: Não foi detectado E. faecalis em nenhuma amostra, porém dois dos três canais radiculares apresentavam microrganismos antes do PQM. Nos casos em que foram encontrados microrganismos inicialmente, observou-se 100% de eliminação após o protocolo aplicado.

Iodoform Vs Calcium Hydroxide/Zinc Oxide based pastes: 12-month findings of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract This study evaluated clinical and radiographic twelve-month outcomes of root canal treatments (CT) with smear layer removal, performed in primary teeth, using two different root canal filling materials. Pulpectomy was performed on 27 primary teeth with necrosis or irreversible pulpitis, caused by dental caries or trauma, in 23 children (2-7 years old). A single trained operator performed the CT in a single visit in cases without periapical or interradicular radiolucency (PIR) or in multiple visits in cases with PIR. Participants were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, and randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 (G1) - iodoform paste (iodoform + camphorated parachlorophenol + ointment comprising prednisolone acetate 5.0 mg and rifamycin 1.5 mg); Group 2 (G2) - Calen®/ZO paste. Treated teeth were restored with composite resin immediately after the root canal filling. The outcomes were evaluated clinically and radiographically according to specific criteria. Two blinded and standardized evaluators assessed the radiographic outcomes. We used descriptive analyses due to the small sample size. CTs were performed due to caries lesions in 70.4% of the cases and due to trauma in 29.6%. Only one tooth of G1 was unsuccessful; hence, pulpectomy performance in both groups was not influenced by the filling material, nor by any other analyzed variable. The level of the root canal filling was better in the Calen®/ZO group. The clinical and radiographic twelve-month outcomes indicated successful treatment, independently of the root filling material used.