Outcomes of coronal pulpotomy on permanent first molars in children: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the survival probability of permanent first molars (PFMs) after coronal pulpotomy (CP) using two outcome definitions: success-focused and functional survival-focused, and to identify factors influencing tooth survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study reviewing records of children undergoing CP with calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) on PFMs. Each CP-treated PFM was classified as success, uncertain, failure, or censored. Survival probability was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimators. Success-focused definition considered failures and uncertain outcomes as events, while functional survival-focused definition considered only failures as events. Prognostic factors were analyzed using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-seven CP-treated PFMs with a follow-up period of 6-111 months. Using the success-focused definition (two failures and 12 uncertain outcomes as events), survival probabilities were 93.1% (95% CI 84.3-97.1%) at 12 months, 78.7% (95% CI 65.6-87.3%) at 36 months, and 74.9% (95% CI 59.5-89.0%) at 60-111 months. However, with the functional survival-focused definition, survival probabilities were 100% at 12 months and 96.6% (95% CI 86.9-99.1%) at 24-111 months. In multivariable analysis, proximal lesions increased failure risk compared to occlusal lesions (HR 17.17, 95% CI 2.18-135.31, p < 0.01), and resin composite restorations had higher failure risk than stainless steel crowns (HR 13.97, 95% CI 1.49-130.69, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CP using CSCs shows long-term survival potential as an alternative treatment for cariously exposed PFMs in children. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Proximal lesions and resin composite restoration could contribute to the lower survival, indicating the need for careful consideration of restoration options and lesion location during treatment planning.

Longevity of stainless steel crowns as interim restorations on young permanent first molars that have undergone vital pulp therapy treatment in children and factors associated with their treatment failure: A retrospective study of up to 8.5 years.

BACKGROUND: Although stainless steel crowns (SSCs) on permanent molars are a common interim full-coverage restoration, there are few clinical studies on longevity. AIM: To evaluate the longevity of SSCs as restorations on young permanent first molars (PFMs) that have undergone vital pulp therapy (VPT) treatment and to identify factors associated with SSC treatment failure. DESIGN: This study conducted a retrospective chart review of children who had PFMs that have undergone VPT treatment and been restored with SSCs. Data from treatment and follow-up visits were collected. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyse the longevity of SSCs. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify factors associated with SSC treatment failure. RESULTS: Data from 140 SSCs were included, with an average follow-up period of 33.5 ± 21.6 (range, 6-104) months. Although none of the teeth had pulpal failure, 35.7% had SSC treatment failure. The survival probabilities of SSCs declined over time, reaching 39.6% (95% CI 27.0-51.9) after 60 months. The immediate post-operative condition of SSCs and the loss of proximal wall on the abutment tooth were significant factors associated with SSC treatment failure. CONCLUSION: Stainless steel crowns are suitable for use as interim restorations in PFMs that have undergone VPT treatment in children, but their longevity is limited, necessitating replacement over time.

Significant elevation of salivary human neutrophil peptides 1-3 levels by probiotic milk in preschool children with severe early childhood caries: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine salivary human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3) levels in caries-free preschool children and in those with early childhood caries (ECC) or severe-ECC, in a daily probiotic group, receiving reconstituted milk with the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 once daily; a triweekly probiotic group, receiving the probiotic milk 3 days a week; and a placebo group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral examination and unstimulated whole saliva collection were conducted in 354 children at baseline, 6 months after intervention (T6), and after probiotic discontinuation (T12). Of the 354, adequate volume of saliva samples from 268 children were simultaneously analyzed for Streptococcus mutans and total lactobacilli levels using qPCR and for HNP1-3 levels using ELISA. RESULTS: In the severe-ECC status, significant increases in the median HNP1-3 levels at T12 were found in both daily and triweekly probiotic groups (p < 0.001). The median S. mutans levels in the daily group were significantly decreased at T6 and T12 (p < 0.01), whereas the median total lactobacilli levels were significantly increased at T6 (p < 0.001). Significantly inverse correlations between altered HNP1-3 and S. mutans levels and significant decreases in caries progression were found in both probiotic groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the severe-ECC status, daily or triweekly consumption of L. paracasei SD1 significantly enhanced salivary HNP1-3 levels, but reduced S. mutans levels, possibly resulting in reduction of caries progression. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Significant enhancement of salivary HNP1-3 levels by probiotic consumption is associated with reduction in S. mutans levels, consistent with diminished caries progression in children with severe-ECC.

Efficacy of Probiotic Milk for Caries Regression in Preschool Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

This multicenter double-blind randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the efficacy of daily or triweekly consumption of reconstituted milk powder, containing Lactobacillus paracaseiSD1, in preschool children for caries prevention. A 6-month intervention was conducted in 487 children (aged 37.6 ± 9.2 months) with ≤4 decayed teeth from 8 childcare centers. Using stratified block randomization, participants were randomly allocated into 3 groups, comprising: (1) daily probiotic, receiving probiotic milk once daily, (2) triweekly probiotic, randomly receiving probiotic milk 3 days a week and the placebo milk for the remaining 4 days, and (3) placebo, receiving milk without probiotics. Each tooth surface was assessed for caries status using the modified Nyvad criteria at baseline (T0), 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) months after T0. Study outcomes were caries transition, including caries progression and regression during the T0-T6, T6-T12 and T0-T12 periods. Negative binomial regression with a generalized linear model was used to estimate the caries outcomes, which were reported as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). At baseline, caries prevalence and mean decayed surfaces were 81.9% and 7.29 ± 7.60, respectively. Three groups were balanced at baseline with an overall dropout rate of 25.2%. After adjusting for age, sex, and the number of noncavitated and cavitated caries at baseline, a decreased caries risk during T0-T6 was shown in both the daily and triweekly probiotic groups (adjusted IRR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.96 in both groups) and during T0-T12 (adjusted IRR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.94, and adjusted IRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.96, respectively) compared to the placebo group. In contrast, significantly increased regressive surfaces were demonstrated during T0-T6 by adjusted IRR 1.76 (95% CI 1.25-2.48) and 2.01 (95% CI 1.42-2.85) and during T0-T12 by adjusted IRR 1.98 (95% CI 1.50-2.61) and 1.92 (95% CI 1.45-2.55) for the daily and triweekly groups, respectively. In conclusion, probiotic milk consumption either daily or triweekly can modestly prevent new caries, but considerably reverse carious lesions, suggesting that a daily or triweekly dose interval is sufficient to reverse carious lesions.

Pulpal anesthesia in pediatric patients following supplemental mandibular buccal infiltration in vital permanent mandibular molars with deep caries.

OBJECTIVES: Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) does not always provide adequate pulpal anesthesia, and supplemental techniques have been investigated in adults. This study aimed to pre- and intraoperatively evaluate the success of pulpal anesthesia following supplemental mandibular buccal infiltration (SMBI) after failure of IANB in permanent mandibular molars with deep caries of pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following IANB, preoperative pulpal anesthesia was assessed using the cold test, and success was defined when there was a negative response. In cases with failed IANB, SMBI was administered, and pulpal anesthesia was re-evaluated. A maximum of three SMBIs was allowed. After achieving successful preoperative pulpal anesthesia, treatment was then initiated. Intraoperatively, success of pulpal anesthesia was determined when the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale reported by the patients was ≤ four. RESULTS: Sixty molars of patients aged 9.6 ± 2.3 years were included in the study. The success of preoperative pulpal anesthesia following IANB was 33.3%. The overall cumulative preoperative pulpal anesthesia after three SMBIs was 95%. However, the success of intraoperative pulpal anesthesia was only 66.7%. CONCLUSIONS: SMBI greatly improved the success of preoperative pulpal anesthesia after failure of IANB. However, the success of preoperative pulpal anesthesia, confirmed by the cold test, does not always guarantee intraoperative pulpal anesthesia, especially in teeth with irreversible pulpitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IANB produced low pulpal anesthesia in vital permanent mandibular molars with deep caries of pediatric patients. Clinicians should always prepare for supplemental injection both pre- and intra-operatively.

Reduction of Streptococcus mutans by probiotic milk: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of probiotics, Lactobacillus paracasei SD1, on the quantities of Streptococcus mutans in saliva and plaque samples of preschool children. DESIGN: This randomized trial recruited 487 preschool children from eight childcare centers. Participants were assigned to receive a 6-month course of placebo milk daily (group I), probiotic milk either daily (group II) or three days a week (triweekly, group III). The absolute quantities of S. mutans and total lactobacilli in the saliva and plaque samples at baseline (T0), after intervention (T6), and 6 months after discontinuation (T12) were assessed by qPCR. RESULTS: Of 487 children, 354 completed all follow-up periods. However, only 268 children (3.2 ± 0.8 years old; groups I = 86, II = 89, and III = 93) provided adequate saliva for qPCR. Whereas the quantities of S. mutans were significantly decreased in groups II and III compared to group I in the saliva and plaque samples at T6 and T12, those of total lactobacilli were significantly increased (p < 0.0167). There was no difference in the quantities of S. mutans or total lactobacilli between groups II and III at any period. Significant changes in the quantities of S. mutans and total lactobacilli lasted until T12 compared to T0 (p < 0.0167). CONCLUSIONS: Probiotic administration daily or triweekly reduces S. mutans quantities, whereas it increases total lactobacilli quantities that persists at least 6 months after discontinuation in the saliva and plaque samples of preschool children. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Daily or triweekly consumption of L. paracasei SD1 supplemented in milk may help prevent dental caries in preschool children.

Breastfeeding Duration and Childhood Caries: A Cohort Study.

This cohort study was conducted in Khon Kaen, Thailand, to test the hypothesis that a longer breastfeeding duration increases the risk for dental caries in primary teeth. We collected information on infant feeding practices and potential confounders using a structured questionnaire to interview mothers or caregivers during the second trimester of pregnancy and after birth at 21 days and at 3, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. Regardless of other liquids and foods, full breastfeeding was defined as feeding breast milk but not formula, while any breastfeeding was feeding breast milk with or without formula. Two calibrated dentists measured dental caries when the children were 3-4 years of age using the decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs) index following the World Health Organization criteria. Negative binomial regression with a generalized linear model was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using dmfs as an outcome. Log-binomial regression was performed to model the caries prevalence. Of 556 children, 88.1% had dental caries with a mean dmfs of 14.2. Full breastfeeding for 6-11 months was significantly associated with a lower dmfs (adjusted RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63, 0.93) and a lower caries prevalence (adjusted RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22, 0.90). The frequency of sleeping while breast- or bottle-feeding increased the caries risk in a dose-response manner. There was no association between duration of any breastfeeding and dental caries. In conclusion, full breastfeeding for 6-11 months may protect against dental caries in primary teeth. Prolonged breastfeeding was not associated with dental caries in this population.

Tooth Fracture and Associated Risk Factors in Permanent Molars Treated with Vital Pulp Therapy and Restored with Direct Resin Composites: A Retrospective Survival Analysis in Young Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the survival from fractures and risk factors of VPT-treated permanent molars restored with direct resin composites in young patients. METHODS: The dental records of patients aged 6 to 18 years with VPT-treated permanent molars restored with resin composites were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of fractures on these teeth. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the survival probabilities. The potential risk factors were assessed using the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: A total of 234 treated molars from 189 patients were included. An overall average follow-up time was 33.34+-20.54 months (ranging from 6 to 83 months). At the end of the study, 21.8% of molars had fractures with the majority of them (92.2%) were restorable. Radiographically, only 3.9% of the fractured molars had periapical lesions and considered VPT failures. The percentages of the fracture types are as follows: 54.9% natural tooth structure fracture, 27.5% restoration fracture, and 17.6% combination fracture. The most common fracture location among the 37 molars with natural tooth fracture (either alone or in combination with restoration fracture) was at the marginal ridge (59.5%), followed by the marginal ridge extending to cusp (21.6%), and the cusp itself (18.9%). The cumulative survival probabilities of these teeth decreased over time, reaching 66.02% (95% CI: 55.89-74.36) after 5 years. VPT-treated molars in the mandible had a 2.1 times higher risk of fracture than those in the maxilla. Furthermore, the molars treated with partial and coronal pulpotomy had 2.4 times and 4.6 times higher risks of fracture when compared to those with indirect pulp capping, respectively. CONCLUSION: In VPT-treated permanent molars in young patients, more fractures were seen in mandibular teeth and in teeth with pulp roof removal (partial and coronal pulpotomy). Clinicians should plan for proper restoration on these teeth. (EEJ-2022-08-097).

Effect of Nitrous Oxide on Pulpal Anesthesia: A Preliminary Study.

To compare the success of perceived pulpal anesthesia between groups using nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O/O2) and oxygen (O2) in children premedicated with ibuprofen with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis permanent teeth. Thirty-three children (mean age 10.4 ± 1.9 years) with 33 symptomatic irreversible pulpitis permanent teeth were included in this preliminary study. All children were premedicated with ibuprofen and randomly assigned to receive either N2O/O2 (17 participants) or O2 (16 participants). Four percent articaine with epinephrine 1:100,000 was administered, and vital pulp therapy was performed. Children used the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS) to report their pain at baseline as well as during carious dentin removal, pulpal exposure, and pulpal tissue removal steps. The success was determined when the reported WBFPS score was ≤4. The chi-square test was used to compare the success between both groups. The success of pulpal anesthesia was 71% (12/17) and 19% (3/16) in the N2O/O2 and O2 groups, respectively. The success in the N2O/O2 group was 52% higher than that in the O2 group (confidence interval = 22.9% to 80.7%; significant difference p = .003). From the result of this preliminary study, N2O/O2 significantly increased the success of perceived pulpal anesthesia in children premedicated with ibuprofen with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis permanent teeth. However, further study with a larger sample is required to confirm this result.

How Effective are Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block and Supplemental Intraligamentary Injections in Pediatric Patients with Deep Carious Permanent Mandibular Molars?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess, within the deep carious permanent mandibular molars of pediatric patients: (1) pre-operative pulpal anesthesia following an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB); (2) preoperative pulpal anesthesia following a supplemental intraligamentary injection (SII); and (3) intraoperative pulpal anesthesia. Methods: Vital permanent mandibular molars with deep caries were first anesthetized with IANB. Preoperative pulpal anesthesia was assessed, and success was defined when the tooth had no response to the sensibility tests. In cases with failed preoperative pulpal anesthesia, an SII was administered and pulpal anesthesia was reassessed. A maximum of three SIIs was allowed. Intraoperatively, pulpal anesthesia was determined when the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale reported by the patients was no more than four. Results: Sixty molars of patients aged 10.9±2.9 years old were included. The success of preoperative pulpal anesthesia following IANB was 26.7 percent. In cases with failed IANB, SIIs were administered. The overall cumulative success rate of preoperative pulpal anesthesia was 80 percent. Intraoperatively, the success of pulpal anesthesia was 72.9 percent. Conclusions: The success of pulpal anesthesia by inferior alveolar nerve block in young permanent teeth with deep caries was low. A supplemental intraligamentary injection can greatly enhance preoperative pulpal anesthesia; however, 27.1 percent of patients still experienced pain during treatment.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Clinical Outcomes and Patient and Parental Satisfaction with Resin Strip Crowns in Primary Incisors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of resin strip crowns (RSCs) and assess parental and patient satisfaction with RSCs in restoring primary incisors. Methods: The esthetic, functional, and biological properties of RSCs were evaluated using FDI World Dental Federation criteria. Parental and patient satisfaction with RSCs was assessed using interviews. The outcomes were compared between three follow-up periods: 12 to 18, 19 to 24, and 25 to 33 months. Results: Seventy-two RSCs in 41 patients were evaluated after an averagefollowup period of 21.7 months. Most RSCs were clinically acceptable esthetically (79.2 percent) and biologically (84.7 percent) but unacceptable in function (52.8 percent). Parental satisfaction with esthetics was lowest (55.6 percent), while parental satisfaction with functional and biological properties was high (84.7 percent and 93.1 percent, respectively). Overall parental and patient satisfaction with RSCs was high (90.2 percent and 75.6 percent, respectively). Clinical outcomes and satisfaction scores were lower for RSCs with longer follow-up periods. Conclusions: Resin strip crowns were clinically acceptable for restoring primary incisors, with sufficient esthetic and biological properties, but were deficient in function, especially with longer follow-up periods. Overall parental and patient satisfaction with RSCs was high, in spite of parents having low satisfaction with the esthetics of the RSCs.

Outcomes of Direct Pulp Capping by Using Either ProRoot Mineral Trioxide Aggregate or Biodentine in Permanent Teeth with Carious Pulp Exposure in 6- to 18-Year-Old Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the success rates of direct pulp capping (DPC) by using either ProRoot Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) or Biodentine in the cariously exposed permanent teeth of 6- to 18-year-old patients. Gray discoloration was also evaluated. METHODS: Fifty-nine cariously exposed permanent teeth, including teeth with diagnosis of normal pulp, reversible pulpitis, or irreversible pulpitis, early periapical involvement, and exposure size of up to 2.5 mm, were included. Each patient with only 1 cariously exposed tooth was randomly allocated to DPC with either ProRoot MTA (n = 30) or Biodentine (n = 29). Patients were recalled every 6 months. Clinical and radiographic examinations were used to determine success. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (mean age, 10 ± 2 years), 27 treated with ProRoot MTA and 28 with Biodentine, were included in the analysis. At mean follow-up of 18.9 ± 12.9 months, the success rate was 92.6% with ProRoot MTA and 96.4% with Biodentine (P > .05; difference, 4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8% to 16%). Biodentine was non-inferior to ProRoot MTA. Failures were distributed equally in all categories of pulpal diagnosis and occurred in teeth with no periapical involvement and small exposures (0.5 mm). The survival probabilities of DPC with ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were 0.92 (95% CI, 0.73-0.98) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.80-0.99). No significant difference was observed between them (P > .05). Gray discoloration was observed only with ProRoot MTA (55%). CONCLUSIONS: Biodentine was non-inferior to ProRoot MTA when used as a DPC material for cariously exposed permanent teeth of 6- to 18-year-old patients. However, Biodentine did not cause any gray discoloration in this study.

Trends over Time in Dental Caries status in Urban and Rural Thai Children.

BACKGROUND: Historically, the prevalence of dental caries was higher in urban areas than rural areas of Thailand. This study aim to examine the time trends in caries status in children in Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Linear regression was used to examine trend of dental caries prevalence and mean number of teeth with caries, filled and missing due to caries (dmft/DMFT) in urban and rural, of 3-, 5-6 and 12-year olds from seven Thailand National Oral Health Surveys conducted approximately every 5 years from 1977 to 2012. RESULTS: There were declines in the caries prevalence and mean dmft/DMFT in every age group. Significant results were observed in the mean dmft of 3 year-olds and the mean DMFT of 12 year-olds (p= 0.03 and p=0.05, respectively). A significant trend of declining prevalence of dental caries was observed in urban children ages 5-6 (p=0.002), along with urban 12 year-olds (p<0.001). A declining trend of mean dmft for 3 and 5-6 year-olds, and mean DMFT for 12 year-olds was observed in both rural and urban areas, but significant results were shown in urban 3 and 5-6 year-olds (P=0.04, and p<0.001, respectively), and urban 12 year-olds (p=0.001). For restoration outcome, both urban and rural of all age groups have an increasing trend of mean ft/FT index. CONCLUSIONS: There have been differences over time in the prevalence and quantity of dental caries between urban and rural school children. A significant reduction was observed in urban areas. More effort needs to be given to supply rural areas in order to have fair and equal access of all citizens to oral health care. Key words:Dental caries, prevalence, children, Thailand, rural, urban, time trend, national survey.

Adverse birth outcomes and childhood caries: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between adverse birth outcomes and dental caries in primary teeth. METHODS: This study included children in Khon Kaen, Thailand, who participated in the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children. Preterm was defined as a birth at <37 weeks gestation, low birthweight (LBW) as birthweight <2500 g, and small-for-gestational age (SGA) as birthweight <10th percentile of expected weight for gestational age. Two calibrated dentists measured dental caries in primary teeth when the children were 3-4 years old using decayed, missing and filled surfaces (dmfs) index following the World Health Organization criteria. We used negative binomial regression with generalize linear models to estimate relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for confounding factors. Of 758 children with gestational age data and 833 with birthweight data, the 544 (follow-up rate of 71.8% in preterm and 65.3% in LBW) who had dental data available were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Dental caries was observed in 480 children (88.2%), with a mean dmfs of 14.3 (standard deviation 12.8). The adjusted RR for dental caries was 0.61 (95% CI 0.43, 0.85) for preterm, 0.89 (95% CI 0.67, 1.21) for LBW, and 0.96 (95% CI 0.74, 1.26) for SGA. CONCLUSIONS: There was an inverse association between preterm and childhood caries. LBW and SGA were not associated with dental caries in this population.