A comparative evaluation of clinical and radiographic success rate of pulpotomy in primary molars using antioxidant mix and mineral trioxide aggregate: An in vivo 1-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: Pulpotomy technique is most widely accepted clinical procedure for treating primary teeth with coronal pulp inflammation caused by caries with no involvement of the radicular pulp. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the success and efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and antioxidant mix as pulpotomy agents both clinically and radiographically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of forty primary molars in children aged between 6 and 9 years, requiring for pulpotomy procedures, were selected. Random samples distribution was done, antioxidant mix (n = 20) and MTA (n = 20) both were used as pulpotomy agent. Under rubber dam isolation, pulpotomy procedure was performed in all samples followed by restoration with stainless steel crowns. Later, the patients were recalled after 6 and 12 months for clinical and radiographic evaluation. The data were evaluated using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Statistically analysis shows no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05) with respect to clinical and radiographic success rate, but antioxidant mix showed more efficient result than MTA. CONCLUSION: Antioxidant mix pulpotomy is more biocompatible and cost effective than any other commercially available medicament.

Family-Related Factors Associated with Caries Prevalence in the Primary Dentition of 5-6-year-old Children in Urban and Rural Areas of Jabalpur City.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of dental caries in primary dentition of 5-6-year-old children in urban and rural areas of Jabalpur city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural and urban areas of Jabalpur city, India. A power analysis was carried out to select a representative sample of 5-6-year-old children (n = 408), 204 from government schools and 204 from private schools. Parents were interviewed using a self-structured questionnaire to collect data with regard to variables under evaluation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Collected data were subjected to descriptive analysis using the SPSS 12.0 version. Risk factor association with dental caries was investigated using a stepwise logistic regression analysis with P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: This shows significantly higher decayed missing filled teeth among rural children than urban children. It was seen that 46.5% of children whose mothers were illiterate were affected with dental caries. In urban area, 91.5% of children whereas 77% of children in rural area have parental control on sugar consumption. CONCLUSION: It is important to focus on parents' education level when planning preventive programs for young children. Assessing family-related risk factors is essential when instituting preventive/treatment programs for young children.