A randomised controlled clinical trial comparing pure Portland cement and formocresol pulpotomies followed from 2 to 4 years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present prospective randomised clinical control trial was to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiographic success rate of pulpotomies in primary molars using pure Portland cement versus formocresol. Pure Portland cement has shown a high rate of success in pulpotomy treatments, with no side effects. METHODS: Healthy 3- to 11-year-old children were treated with pulpotomies on primary molars as part of their scheduled dental treatment. Pulp dressing alternated randomly between pure Portland cement and formocresol. Data were analysed at follow-up periods up to 48 months. RESULTS: 68 (50%) teeth with pure Portland cement and 68 (50%) teeth with formocresol in 136 healthy children (59 boys and 77 girls) were followed. The overall success rate of the pulpotomies in this study was 95.6%. Pure Portland cement was successful in 100% of the cases (68 out of 68), and formocresol in 91.1% (62 out of 68). No association was found between success and type of tooth or time range from treatment to last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Based on this study's results, it can be concluded that there is no superiority of one material over the other and pure Portland cement can be used in primary molar pulpotomies.

[Combination therapy at an early stage of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Case series and design of the clinical trial "BromhexIne and Spironolactone for CoronаvirUs Infection requiring hospiTalization (BISCUIT)"].

The article focuses on effective treatment of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at early stages and substantiates the requirement for antiviral therapy and for decreasing the viral load to prevent the infection progression. The absence of a specific antiviral therapy for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is stated. The authors analyzed results of early randomized studies using lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, and favipiravir in COVID-19 and their potential for the treatment of novel coronavirus infection. Among the drugs blocking the virus entry into cells, the greatest attention was paid to the antimalaria drugs, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. The article addresses in detail ineffectiveness and potential danger of hydroxychloroquine, which demonstrated neither a decrease in the time of clinical recovery nor any improvement of prognosis for patients with COVID-19. The major objective was substantiating a possible use of bromhexine, a mucolytic and anticough drug, which can inhibit transmembrane serin protease 2 required for entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells. Spironolactone may have a similar feature. Due to its antiandrogenic effects, spironolactone can inhibit X-chromosome-related synthesis of ACE-2 receptors and activation of transmembrane serin protease 2. In addition to slowing the virus entry into cells, spironolactone decreases severity of fibrosis in different organs, including the lungs. The major part of the article addresses clinical examples of managing patients with COVID-19 at the University Clinic of the Medical Research and Educational Centre of the M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, including successful treatment with schemes containing bromhexine and spironolactone. In conclusion, the authors described the design of a randomized, prospective BISCUIT study performed at the University Clinic of the M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University with an objective of evaluating the efficacy of this scheme.

[Results of Open-Label non-Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial: "BromhexIne and Spironolactone for CoronаvirUs Infection requiring hospiTalization (BISCUIT)].

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a combination of bromhexine at a dose of 8 mg 4 times a day and spironolactone 50 mg per day in patients with mild and moderate COVID 19.Material and methods It was an open, prospective comparative non-randomized study. 103 patients were included (33 in the bromhexine and spironolactone group and 70 in the control group). All patients had a confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus infection (COVID 19) based on a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA and/or a typical pattern of viral pneumonia on multispiral computed tomography. The severity of lung damage was limited to stage I-II, the level of CRP should not exceed 60 mg / dL and SO2 in the air within 92-98%. The duration of treatment is 10 days.Results The decrease in scores on the SHOKS-COVID scale, which, in addition to assessing the clinical status, the dynamics of CRP (a marker of inflammation), D-dimer (a marker of thrombus formation), and the degree of lung damage on CT (primary endpoint) was statistically significant in both groups and differences between them was not identified. Analysis for the group as a whole revealed a statistically significant reduction in hospitalization time from 10.4 to 9.0 days (by 1.5 days, p=0.033) and fever time from 6.5 to 3.9 days (by 2.5 days, p<0.001). Given the incomplete balance of the groups, the main analysis included 66 patients who were match with using propensity score matching. In matched patients, temperature normalization in the bromhexine/spironolactone group occurred 2 days faster than in the control group (p=0.008). Virus elimination by the 10th day was recorded in all patients in the bromhexine/spironolactone group; the control group viremia continued in 23.3% (p=0.077). The number of patients who had a positive PCR to the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the 10th day of hospitalization or longer (≥10 days) hospitalization in the control group was 20/21 (95.2%), and in the group with bromhexine /spironolactone -14/24 (58.3%), p=0.012. The odds ratio of having a positive PCR or more than ten days of hospitalization was 0.07 (95% CI: 0.008 - 0.61, p=0.0161) with bromhexine and spironolactone versus controls. No side effects were reported in the study group.Conclusion The combination of bromhexine with spironolactone appeared effective in treating a new coronavirus infection by achieving a faster normalization of the clinical condition, lowering the temperature one and a half times faster, and reducing explanatory combine endpoint the viral load or long duration of hospitalization (≥ 10 days).

Zirconia crowns--an esthetic and resistant restorative alternative for ECC affected primary teeth.

The present report discusses briefly the problem of ECC in very young children and the recommended approaches for prevention and treatment. The esthetic restoration of the maxillary incisors with Zirconia Nu Smile crowns is described. It is also stressed that the luxation injury two months after placement did not damage the appearance nor the stability of the crowns.

Minimal intervention dentistry procedures: a ten year retrospective study.

UNLABELLED: Minimal Intervention Dentistry (MID) is an effective treatment approach with increasing acceptance among dental professionals. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the MID impact on Dentistry by analyzing procedures performed on patients treated at a Pediatric Dentistry Graduate Program clinic which implemented MID. STUDY DESIGN: The number of procedures including sealants, modified atraumatic restorative treatment (mART), resin crowns, direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, and deciduous/ permanent extractions from 333 pediatric patients treated between the years 2001 to 2003 and 2008 to 2010 in Distrito Federal, Brazil were analyzed. Statistical analysis involved chi-square and G Williams tests. RESULTS: 783 procedures were analyzed and demonstrated that there was a significant reduction of sealant placement in the last triennium when compared to the first one (p<0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the amount of mART (p<0.0001). This increase in mART procedures resulted in a significant reduction in procedures with pulp involvement: direct pulp capping (p=0.0014), pulpotomy (p=0.0014) and pulpectomy (p=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, MID represented a positive impact on the intervention on caries lesions in patients, mainly reflected by the significant reduction in the number of direct pulp capping, pulpotomy and pulpectomy.

Esthetic restorative options for pulpotomized primary molars: a review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this manuscript was to review the existing literature in regards to esthetic options to restore pulpotomized primary molars. STUDY DESIGN: A pubmed literature search has been performed and all relevant studies were assessed. RESULTS: Two laboratory, 3 restrospective and 4 prospective clinical studies were found, reviewed and analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited information available, we concluded that tooth colored and bonded restorations showed promising results as alternative materials to replace stainless steel crowns after pulpotomies in primary molars. Hybrid composites tend to perform better than compomers. Resin modified glass ionomer cements demonstrated excellent marginal seal and retention. More long-term follow up studies are necessary until more definitive recommendations can be made.

[Assessment of pulps vitality for children and adolesents].

Accurate assessment of pulp status is one of the greatest diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. This may be further complicated in children and adolescent where the practitioner is faced with different situations such as: primary teeth, developing permanent dentition, traumatized teeth, patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. In addition, the dentist is frequently faced with young children who have limited ability to recall a pain history or cooperate with the test itself. A variety of pulp testing approaches exist, and there may be a confusion as to their validity in different clinical situations. Sensitivity tests include thermal testing and Electric Pulp Test. Their limitation is the possibility to get false positive or false negative results. Their primary limitation lies in the fact that they test the sensory response of the tooth, which can be temporarily lost after dental trauma. A more accurate assessment of pulp vitality would be made by determining the presence of a functioning blood supply with the use of Laser Doppler Flowmetry or Pulse Oximetry. This paper provides the clinician with a comprehensive review of current pulp testing methods and allow greater insight into the interpretation of pulp testing results, especially in young patients.

Assessment of two curing systems in a self-etching primer/adhesive sealant: a preliminary study for a clinical trial.

AIM: This was to assess the clinical performance of two different polymerization regimens of a non-rinse conditioning self/etching adhesive/sealant system (Adper Prompt-L-Pop, 3M ESPE) placed in recently erupted first permanent molars in two paediatric dental practices. METHODS: A total of 40 healthy 5 to 8 year old patients (20 from each practice) presenting at least two caries-free recently erupted first permanent molars participated in this preliminary test. A total of 128 molars were fissure sealed (FS) and cured with two different curing regimens. Group 1 (64 teeth) used Adper L-Pop + Clinpro as a one-step cure regimen. Group 2 (64 teeth) used Adper L-Pop + Clinpro with a two-step cure regimen using cotton-roll isolation. Sealants were evaluated 6 to 12 months after placement. RESULTS: No differences were found in the ratings between the two polymerization regimens. In Group 1, 28 molars recorded FS fully retained rated A, 29 were rated B (partially missing) and 7 sealants were completely lost (C). In Group 2, 30 molars were rated A, another 30 scored B and 4 molars were totally lost (C). CONCLUSION: The poor performance of both FS polymerization regimens of the non-rinse conditioning self/etching adhesive/sealant system (Adper Prompt-L-Pop, 3M ESPE) placed in recently erupted first permanent molars in the present test does not justify its use in young children.

Assessment of the accuracy of visual examination, bite-wing radiographs and DIAGNOdent on the diagnosis of occlusal caries.

AIM: This was to evaluate the accuracy of the different methods for diagnosing occlusal caries in vivo, and to compare their performance in primary and permanent teeth. STUDY DESIGN: Permanent teeth (199) and primary molars (65) with macroscopically intact occlusal surface, with caries lesions without cavitation (white spot) or with a darkened sulcus were selected. The teeth were examined by the following methods: visual inspection, bite-wing radiographs and DIAGNOdent. The validation method employed for asserting the existence of carious lesion was cavity preparation. RESULTS: When the total sample was taken into consideration, laser (DIAGNOdent) provided the highest accuracy (74.8%). Even when the total sample was stratified, the laser accuracy was still high for both primary (88.4%) and permanent molars (70.4%). Visual inspection also provided a high accuracy for primary teeth (83.9%). The chi-square test showed a statistically significant difference between permanent and primary teeth considering occlusal caries diagnosis (p=0.0001). The Kappa coefficient showed good inter-examiner reproducibility for all methods. McNemar test revealed that the degree of intra-examiner agreement for visual inspection was lower than for the other methods. CONCLUSIONS: As visual inspection also showed a high degree of accuracy, the laser method should be used as a complementary method in doubtful cases. Diagnostic methods of occlusal caries, in general, are more efficient in deciduous than in permanent teeth.

Pulpotomy in primary teeth: review of the literature according to standardized criteria.

AIM: To assess the relevant literature using a modification of the criteria listed in the introductory paper to this issue [Curzon and Toumba, 2006], and to review several new publications on pulpotomies with different materials and techniques that appeared after previously published reviews. METHODS: A search of the literature on pulpotomies was identified using Medline between the years 1966-2005. The search generated 358 citations and sieving of these papers was conducted by examining the paper title and assessing its relevance [Loh et al., 2004]. Only clinical studies (non-specified) and retrospective studies were included for assessment. There were 17 criteria (considered major) weighed 2 points and 8 criteria weighed 1 point. A paper that would score between 38-42 points (90+ %) was assessed as Grade A, a score from 32 to 37 points (75-89%) was Grade B1, and between 25 to 31 points (60-74%) Graded B2. All other papers that reached 24 points or less (less than 59%) was rated Grade C. RESULTS: Of the 358 papers originally identified 48 clinical trials were evaluated according to the set of criteria. There was only one paper graded A, 5 papers graded B1, 3 graded B2 and 39 received a grade C. Formocresol or ferric sulphate medicaments were found to be likely to have similar clinical/radiographic results, and MTA seemed to be a more favourable pulp dressing. CONCLUSION: No conclusion can be made as to the optimum treatment or technique for pulpally involved primary teeth. More high quality, properly planned prospective studies are necessary to clarify these points.

Clinical performance of resin-bonded composite strip crowns in primary incisors: a retrospective study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess retrospectively the longevity of resin-bonded composite strip crowns placed in primary maxillary incisors. DESIGN: Records for 200 out of 387 children, aged 22-48 months, treated in a private paediatric dental practice and who presented for follow-up after at least 24 months were included in the study. The parameters recorded at baseline and/or at follow-up were: habits, the number and location of the decayed surfaces, colour, texture, and chipping of the restoration. Radiographic evaluation of the restorations, the quality of the margins, and the presence of pulpal and/or periapical pathoses were recorded. RESULTS: More than 80% of the restorations were judged to be successful at the final follow-up examination. Only the number of carious surfaces of the tooth at baseline influenced the treatment outcome. The failure rate was higher in central incisors with four affected surfaces (P = 0.005), and in lateral incisors with four carious surfaces (P = 0.0003), than in those presenting one or two carious surfaces in both central and lateral incisors (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The high success rate of resin-bonded composite strip crowns with a 2-year follow-up seen in this study suggests that this treatment modality is an aesthetic and satisfactory means of restoring carious primary incisors in young children. The retention rate is lower in teeth with decay in three or more surfaces, particularly in children with a high caries risk.

Clinical performance of a non-rinse conditioning sealant in three paediatric dental practices: a retrospective study.

The present clinical retrospective study describes the retention rates of a compomer sealant (Dyract Seal, Dentsply-De Trey, Germany) with non-rinse conditioning (NRC) placed in three paediatric dentistry practices. Three hundred and seventeen sealants were applied in 220 primary and 97 permanent molars of 176 children aged 2.5-13 years. The tooth surface was freshened with a #1/2 round bur mounted on a slow speed engine, and isolated with cotton rolls. Application of the NRC and Dyract Seal followed the manufacturer's instructions. Sealant retention was classified as A (fully retained), B (partially lost) or C (completely missing). From a total of 220 sealants placed in primary molars, 38 were in the mouth between 12 and 18 months, 29 functioned between 19 and 24 months and 46 were followed up between 25 and 36 months. One hundred and thirteen (51%) were fully retained (A), 73 (33%) scored B (27 for 12-18 months; 20 for 19-24 months, 26 for 25-36 months) and 34 (16%) were lost and scored C (12 for 12-18 months; 12 for 19-24 months; 10 for 25-36 months). From a total of 97 sealed permanent molars, 45 (46%) were fully retained (score A). Of these, 25 were followed up for 12-18 months, 10 for 19-24 months and 10 for 25-36 months. Thirty-eight sealed permanent molars (19%) scored B [17 for 12-18 months, 10 for 19-24 months and seven for 25-36 months and 14 (15%) were completely lost (score C: 6 for 12-18 months, seven for 19-24 months and two for 25-36 months)]. Dyract Seal has a lower retention rate than conventional sealants. It may be appropriate for sealing primary molars of very young children for a limited period of time and for permanent molars of children with pronounced gag reflex, where rinsing can become a problem and lead to disruptive behaviour.

The human tuftelin gene and the expression of tuftelin in mineralizing and nonmineralizing tissues.

Tuftelin has been suggested to play an important role during the development and mineralization of enamel, but its precise function is still unclear. This article reviews major milestones in the discovery, structural characterization, expression, localization, and conservation of tuftelin in different vertebrate species. It focuses on the structure of the human tuftelin gene, which has recently been deciphered [12]. It describes the exon-intron organization, sizes and structure, the promoter structure, and the newly discovered alternatively spliced human tooth-bud tuftelin mRNA transcripts. It also examines information on the structural motifs in the human-derived tuftelin protein and how they relate to tuftelin from other species. It reviews our recent results on the transcription of tuftelin mRNA and protein expression in several nonmineralizing soft tissues, using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by DNA cloning and sequencing, indirect immunohistochemistry, immunohistochemistry combined with confocal microscopy, and in situ hybridization. These results and earlier Northern blot results show that tuftelin, in addition to being expressed in the developing and mineralizing tooth, is also expressed in several nonmineralizing soft tissues, suggesting that tuftelin has a universal function and/or a multifunctional role.

Current concepts in vital primary pulp therapy.

REVIEW: Recent progress in understanding the molecular and cellular changes during tooth development and how they are mimicked during tissue repair, offers the opportunity to assess the biologic validity of the various vital pulp treatments. Under this light, indirect pulp treatment can be an acceptable procedure for primary teeth with reversible pulp inflammation, provided that this diagnosis is based on a good history, a proper clinical and radiographic examination, and the tooth had been sealed with a leakage-free restoration. Several articles report the success of this technique of direct pulp capping (DPC) and calcium hydroxide has been widely used with high success rates in young permanent teeth, but the results in primary teeth are less satisfactory. Recent studies have reported successful results with direct adhesive capping of exposed pulps, while others showed pulp inflammation and unacceptable results using this technique. Thus, the traditional rationale for the use of calcium hydroxide should be maintained, and this treatment modality reserved for iatrogenic exposures in asymptomatic teeth that are expected to exfoliate within a short period of time. In younger children, iatrogenic or carious exposures should be treated by pulpotomy. Formocresol has been the most popular pulp dressing material for pulpotomized primary molars for many years but, due to its deleterious effect, the use of formocresol is decreasing considerably worldwide. Ferric sulphate has been proposed as a substitute to formocresol, and the success rates were comparable to those of formocresol. More recently, considerably better results have been obtained with MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate), and statistically significant differences were reported when compared with formocresol. Internal root resorption, a finding seen both in ferric sulphate and formocresol, was not observed in the MTA treated teeth. MTA is commercially available, but its cost is very high, and cannot be kept once opened. Thus, ferric sulphate can still be a valid and inexpensive solution for pulpotomies in primary teeth.

Reliability of different techniques to assess marginal defects of Class II restorations in retrieved primary molars: a visual-tactile, SEM, dye penetration and polarized light microscopy study.

The aims of the present article were to assess the reliability of different techniques to assess marginal defects in Class II restorations in retrieved primary molars, and to determine the degree of agreement between the various assessment modalities. The material evaluated was comprised of 18 exfoliated primary molars that had been restored 20 to 22 months previously with a resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitremer--7 teeth), a hybridized composite resin (Z100 + Scotchbond Multipurpose--9 teeth), and amalgam (Dispersalloy--2 teeth). No significant differences could be observed between the groups. The majority of the restorations rated A at the buccal and lingual margins, but poor adaptation was disclosed at the cervical margin of the three types of restorations. SEM evaluation revealed that the highest percentage of defects was seen at the cervical margins with no statistically significant difference between the groups. No or minimal leakage was present at the occlusal margins and severe penetration of dye was seen at the cervical margins in all groups. Significantly less demineralization was seen adjacent to the Vitremer and Z100 restorations when compared to the Dispersalloy but no difference was found between the esthetic restorations. Except for the visual tactile examination, small marginal defects could be disclosed by the three assessment techniques (SEM, dye penetration, and polarized light microscopy). A good degree of agreement was observed between the three evaluation techniques.

Mineral trioxide aggregate vs. formocresol in pulpotomized primary molars: a preliminary report.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to that of formocresol (FC) as pulp dressing agents in pulpotomized primary molars with carious pulp exposure. METHODS: Forty-five primary molars of 26 children were treated by a conventional pulpotomy technique. The teeth were randomly assigned to the MTA (experimental) or FC (control) group by a toss of a coin. Following removal of the coronal pulp and hemostasis the pulp stumps were covered with an MTA paste in the experimental group. In the control group, FC was placed with a cotton pellet over the pulp stumps for 5 minutes and removed; the pulp stumps were then covered by zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) paste. The teeth of both groups were restored with stainless steel crowns. Eighteen children with 32 teeth arrived for clinical and radiographic follow-up evaluation ranging from 6 to 30 months. RESULTS: The follow-up evaluations revealed only one failure (internal resorption detected at a 17 months postoperative evaluation) in a molar treated with formocresol. None of the MTA-treated teeth showed any clinical or radiographic pathology. Pulp canal obliteration was observed in 9 of 32 (28%) evaluated molars. This finding was detected in 2 out of the 15 teeth treated with FC (13%) and in 7 out of the 17 treated with MTA (41%). CONCLUSION: MTA showed clinical and radiographic success as a dressing material following pulpotomy in primary teeth and seems to be a suitable replacement for formocresol in primary teeth.

Pulp therapy for the primary and young permanent dentitions.

This article describes the pulp reactions to caries and operative procedures and emphasizes the importance of a clinical diagnosis to evaluate the most appropriate pulp treatment. Conservative and radical treatments are described, stressing the differences between primary and young permanent dentitions.

Self recognition in the Ig superfamily. Identification of precise subdomains in carcinoembryonic antigen required for intercellular adhesion.

The homophilic binding of extracellular domains of membrane-bound immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) molecules is often required for intercellular adhesion and signaling. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a member of the IgSF, is a widely used tumor marker that functions in vitro as a homotypic intercellular adhesion molecule. CEA has also been shown to contribute to tumorigenicity by inhibiting cellular differentiation, an effect that requires the homophilic binding of its extracellular domains. It was of interest, therefore, to identify small subdomain sequences in CEA that could serve as a focus in the design of peptides that disrupt CEA-mediated intercellular adhesion. Three subdomains in the N-terminal domain of CEA, identified by site-directed deletions and point mutations, were shown to be required for intercellular adhesion. Cyclized peptides representing two of these subdomains, (42)NRQII and (80)QNDTG, were found to be effective in blocking CEA-mediated cellular aggregation when added to CEA-expressing transfectants in suspension. Intermolecular binding involving each of these subdomains is therefore essential for intercellular adhesion and cannot be compensated for by known binding contributions of other regions in the CEA molecule. In further support of this assumption, the binding epitope of an anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (monoclonal antibody A20) known to block CEA-mediated adhesion, was shown to bridge two of the three required subdomains: (42)NRQII and (30)GYSWYK.