Search

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess success rates for nonvital treatment in primary teeth for caries/trauma. Methods: Databases were searched between 1960 and 2020 for randomized controlled trials, cohorts, case series, and in vitro studies. The primary outcome was overall success (clinical and radiographic) for pulpectomy and lesion sterilization tissue repair (LSTR). Included articles were independently determined, agreed upon, data extraction assessed, risk of bias, meta-analyses, and assignment of quality of evidence (GRADE). Results: Comparing teeth with and without root resorption, pulpectomy success was better (P<0.001) in teeth without preoperative root resorption. Success with pulpectomies performed with zinc oxide eugenol [ZOE] and with Endoflas (ZOE plus iodoform plus calcium hydroxide) did not differ from that observed using Vitapex or Metapex (iodoform plus calcium hydroxide; P ≥ 0.50) after 18 months; however, Endoflas and ZOE success rates remained near 90 percent versus 71 percent or less for iodoform. Network analysis ratings showed Endoflas and ZOE performed better than iodoform alone. Also, LSTR performed better (P<0.001) than pulpectomies in teeth with preoperative root resorption, but pulpectomy results were superior (P=0.09) if roots were intact. Rotary instrumentation of root canals was significantly faster (P<0.001) than manual instrumentation. Success rates were not impacted by method of obturation or root length determination, type of tooth, number of visits, irrigants, smear layer removal, or timing/type of final restoration. Conclusions: Eighteen-month success rates support Endloflas and zinc oxide eugenol pulpectomies over iodoform pulpectomies. Lesion sterilization tissue repair had limited indication for teeth with resorbed roots.

Background: This manuscript presents evidence-based guidance on the use of 38 percent silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for dental caries management in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. A guideline workgroup formed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry developed guidance and an evidence-based recommendation regarding the application of 38 percent SDF to arrest cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth., Types of Studies Reviewed: The basis of the guideline's recommendation is evidence from an existing systematic review "Clinical trials of silver diamine fluoride in arresting caries among children: A systematic review." (JDR Clin Transl Res 2016;1[3]:201-10). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed®/MEDLINE, Embase®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and gray literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews reporting on the effect of silver diamine fluoride and address peripheral issues such as adverse effects and cost. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence and the evidence-to-decision framework was employed to formulate a recommendation., Results: The panel made a conditional recommendation regarding the use of 38 percent SDF for the arrest of cavitated caries lesions in primary teeth as part of a comprehensive caries management program. After taking into consideration the low cost of the treatment and the disease burden of caries, panel members were confident that the benefits of SDF application in the target populations outweigh its possible undesirable effects. Per GRADE, this is a conditional recommendation based on low-quality evidence. Conclusions and practical implications: The guideline intends to inform the clinical practices involving the application of 38 percent SDF to enhance dental caries management outcomes in children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. These recommended practices are based upon the best available evidence to-date. A 38 percent SDF protocol is included in Appendix II.

Purpose: This manuscript presents evidence-based guidance on the use of vital pulp therapies for treatment of deep caries lesions in children. A guideline panel convened by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry formulated evidence-based recommendations on three vital pulp therapies: indirect pulp treatment (IPT; also known as indirect pulp cap), direct pulp cap (DPC), and pulpotomy., Methods: The basis of the guideline's recommendations was evidence from "Primary Tooth Vital Pulp Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." (Pediatr Dent 2017;15;39[1]:16-23.) A systematic search was conducted in PubMed®/MEDLINE, Embase®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and trial databases to identify randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews addressing peripheral issues of vital pulp therapies such as patient preferences of treatment and impact of cost. Quality of the evidence was assessed through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach; the evidence-to-decision framework was used to formulate a recommendation., Results: The panel was unable to make a recommendation on superiority of any particular type of vital pulp therapy owing to lack of studies directly comparing these interventions. The panel recommends use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and formocresol in pulpotomy treatments; these are recommendations based on moderate-quality evidence at 24 months. The panel made weak recommendations regarding choice of medicament in both IPT (moderate-quality evidence [24 months], low quality evidence [48 months]) and DPC (very-low quality evidence [24 months]). Success of both treatments was independent of type of medicament used. The panel also recommends use of ferric sulfate (low-quality evidence), lasers (low-quality evidence), sodium hypochlorite (very low-quality evidence), and tricalcium silicate (very low-quality evidence) in pulpotomies; these are weak recommendations based on low-quality evidence. The panel recommended against the use of calcium hydroxide as pulpotomy medicament in primary teeth with deep caries lesions. Conclusions and practical implications: The guideline intends to inform the clinical practices with evidence-based recommendations on vital pulp therapies in primary teeth with deep caries lesions. These recommendations are based upon the best available evidence to-date.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of xylitol in reducing dental caries in children compared to no treatment, a placebo, or preventive strategies., Methods: MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from January 1, 1995 through Sept. 26, 2016 for randomized and controlled trials on children consuming xylitol for at least 12 months. The primary endpoint was caries reduction measured by mean decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent surfaces/ teeth (dmfs/t, DMFS/T, respectively). The I2 and chi-square test for heterogeneity were used to detect trial heterogeneity. Meta-analyses were performed and quality was evaluated using GRADE profiler software., Results: Analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that xylitol had a small effect on reducing dental caries (standardized mean difference [SMD] equals -0.24; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] equals -0.48 to 0.01; P = 0.06) with a very low quality of evidence and considerable heterogeneity. Studies with higher xylitol doses (greater than four grams per day) demonstrated a medium caries reduction (SMD equals -0.54; 95 percent CI equals -1.14 to 0.05; P = 0.07), with these studies also having considerable heterogeneity and very low quality of evidence., Conclusions: The present systematic review examining the effectiveness of xylitol on caries incidence in children showed a small effect size in randomized controlled trials and a very low quality of evidence that makes preventive action of xylitol uncertain.

Purpose: The purpose of this protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of primary tooth vital pulp therapy is to describe the reasoning and need for the review, the objectives of the review, and the methodology that will be used to analyse data from the included studies. Publication of a systematic review protocol also helps establish and maintain transparency of the process and accountability for the stated methods and outcomes sought., Methods: This protocol adheres to PRISMA-P standards for protocol reporting. A variety of relevant databases and resources will be searched. Trials selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment will be performed by two independent investigators. Primary outcome measures include clinical and radiographic success. Evidence tables will be generated for included study characteristics. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool will be applied to the selected studies. For meta-analysis, results will be pooled to provide estimates of appropriate effect size and heterogeneity of trials. The quality of evidence for outcomes will be determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach., Results: The proposed systematic review will provide findings useful for pediatric and general dentists, researchers, guideline developers, policymakers, and public and private insurers and can be the basis for an evidence-based guideline on pulp treatment of vital primary teeth with deep caries approximating the pulp.

The knowledge and beliefs of parents have an impact on their children's general and oral health. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and behavior of parents and identify possible associated factors of early childhood caries (ECC) in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Parents aged 18 and older were invited to complete a self-administered, validated questionnaire. Questions covered demographics, knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding ECC etiology and prevention. Of the 644 parents who completed the questionnaire, 51.4% were not aware of the early signs of tooth decay, such as white lines. Pain and trauma were reported as the major reasons for a child to visit a dentist (42.4%). Only 37% of parents were aware of the importance of fissure sealant, and only 23% knew how it is applied. Compared with mothers, fathers were significantly less aware of hidden sugar and the relation between the frequency of consuming breast milk or bottled milk and caries development (p = 0.001). Similarly, fathers were more likely to believe that children could achieve effective teeth cleaning without parental assistance (p = 0.001). Preventive guidance should be provided by oral healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia to improve parents' knowledge of ECC prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to present an evidence-based guideline for primary teeth with deep caries or trauma requiring vital pulp therapies (VPT). Methods: A systematic review/meta-analysis on vital primary teeth resulting from trauma or caries was conducted using GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for clinical recommendations. A decision tree was provided for choosing VPTs. Results: No articles on trauma VPT were found. For VPT in primary teeth with deep caries, indirect pulp treatment (IPT) or pulpotomy using the calcium silicate cement (mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] or Biodentine®) show increased success over using direct pulp capping (DPC) and other pulpotomies. Different liners do not affect IPT success (high certainty) or DPC capping agents' success (very low certainty) after 24 months. It is strongly recommended, with high certainty from 24-month data, that calcium silicate cement pulpotomy is preferred over formocresol, ferric sulfate, zinc oxide eugenol pulpotomy, and other pulpotomies. Using selective caries removal and IPT for deep caries is strongly recommended with moderate certainty over complete and stepwise removal. Statistically, this results in significantly fewer pulp exposures. No caries removal and Hall technique crown may be used when indicated (moderate certainty at 24 months). For vital primary incisors with deep caries, pulpotomy was significantly better statistically than pulpectomy. Teeth diagnosed with/without reversible pulpitis pain showed comparable success after 12 months of treatment by IPT or calcium silicate cement pulpotomy. The following had little or no significant effect on MTA pulpotomy success: coronal pulp removal methods; irrigation solution; method to control hemorrhage; base over MTA; treatment in one or two visits; anterior or posterior teeth. Conclusions: Indirect pulp treatment or calcium silicate cement pulpotomy is likely to increase vital pulp therapy success over other VPTs such as direct pulp capping and other pulpotomies after 24 months (moderate certainty). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to update the 2016 systematic review evidence for vital pulp therapy (VPT) for primary teeth affected by caries or trauma. Methods: The population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study (PICOS) design inclusion/exclusion was used for multiple databases. Risk of bias, meta-analyses using RevMan, and certainty of evidence was created. Results: A total of 299 studies were included; no trauma was found. Indirect pulp treatment (IPT) resulted in 97 percent success. Two calcium silicate cement (CSC) pulpotomies' success using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine® were 94 percent and 90 percent, respectively, greater than for direct pulp capping (DPC; 86 percent) and other pulpotomies (moderate certainty). The success of IPT versus pulpotomy at 24 months showed no significant difference (P=0.31). Different liners or capping agents did not affect the success of IPT (P=0.79) or DPC at 24 months (P=0.24). The two CSC pulpotomies were not significantly different based on 24-month success (P=0.34). The formocresol pulpotomy success at 24 months was significantly lower than for MTA (P=0.02). Ferric sulfate had a significant lower success at 24 months than MTA pulpotomy (69 percent versus 92 percent; P=0.03). Zinc oxide eugenol, as a singular pulpotomy, had low success (65 percent). Selective/stepwise caries removal did significantly better at avoiding pulp exposures than complete excavation (P<0.001). Complete, selective, and no caries removal (Hall technique [HT], steel crown placement with no caries removal) had no signifi-cant difference in pulp vitality success for deep caries at 24 months (P=0.29). For deep caries affecting vital incisors, pulpotomy had significantly greater success than pulpectomy (P=0.002). The following had no significant effect on MTA pulpotomy success: coronal pulp removal methods; irrigation solution; method to control hemorrhage; base over MTA; treatment in one or two visits; and anterior or posterior teeth. Conclusions: Vital pulp therapy success of indirect pulp treatment or two calcium silicate cement pulpotomies demonstrated improved success over direct pulp capping and other pulpotomies based on 24-month evidence with moderate certainty. The Hall technique did not significantly reduce pulp vitality success versus caries removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present an evidence-based guideline for non-vital pulp therapies due to deep caries or trauma in primary teeth. Methods: The authors, working with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis for studies on non-vital primary teeth resulting from trauma or caries and used the GRADE approach to assess level of certainty of evidence for clinical recommendations. Results: GRADE was assessed from high to very low. Comparing teeth with/without root resorption, pulpectomy success was better (P<0.001) in those without preoperative root resorption. Zinc oxide plus iodoform plus calcium hydroxide ([ZO/iodoform/CH]; Endoflas™) and zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) pulpectomy success did not differ from iodoform (iodoform pius calcium hydroxide; Vitapex™, Metapex™) (P=0.55) after 18-months; however, ZO/iodoform/CH and ZOE success rates remained near 90 percent while iodoform was 71 percent or less. Network analysis ratings showed ZO/iodoform/CH and ZOE better than iodoform. Lesion sterilization tissue repair (LSTR) was better (P<0.001) than pulpectomy In teeth with preoperative root resorption, but pulpectomy results were better (P=0.09) if roots were Intact Rotary Instrumentation of root canals was significantly faster (P<0.00i) than manual, but the quality of fill did not differ (P=0.09) and both hod comparable success. Network analysis ranked ZO/iodoform/CH the best, ZOE second, and iodoform lowest at 18 months. Success rates were not impacted by method of obturation or root length determination, type of tooth, number of visits, Irrigants, smear layer removal, or timing/type of final restoration. Conclusions: Pulpectomy 18-month success rates supported ZO/iodoform/CH and ZOE pulpectomy over Iodoform. LSTR had limited Indication for teeth with resorbed roots and requires close monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]