Clinical and radiographic evaluation of vital pulp therapy in open apex teeth with MTA and ZOE.

The purpose of this study was to report the success rate of using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) as vital pulp therapy agents in immature permanent teeth with carious or traumatic pulp exposure. Subjects were children with permanent teeth requiring pulpotomy (apexogenesis) and without systemic diseases. Both ZOE and MTA treatments as pulpotomy agents showed clinical and radiographic success in immature permanent teeth. Although MTA was more successful, it is more expensive, and dentin bridges may develop over canal orifices, complicating future root canal therapy.

Are more nickel ions released from NiTi wires after sterilisation?

BACKGROUND: Increased concentrations of nickel ions may be released into saliva from recycled NiTi archwires. AIM: To compare the nickel ion concentrations released from recycled NiTi wires after sterilisation by either dry heat or steam autoclave. METHODS: Eighty preformed NiTi wires were assigned to four equal groups. In Groups 1, 2 and 3 the archwires were used intra-orally for 4 weeks. The Group 4 archwires were not used. Group 1 archwires were sterilised by dry heat, the Group 2 archwires were sterilised by steam autoclave, the Group 3 archwires were not sterilised and the Group 4 archwires were as-received. A 2 cm length, cut from each archwire, was immersed in artificial saliva for 4 weeks and the nickel ion concentrations in the artificial saliva measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the nickel ion concentrations released into the artificial saliva by each group of archwires (p = 0.467). CONCLUSION: Sterilisation of used NiTi wires by either dry heat and steam autoclave does not affect the concentrations of nickel ions released into artificial saliva.