Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Success of Two commercially Available Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Teeth: An in vivo Study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as pulpotomy agents by clinical and radiological assessments in primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 90 decayed primary molars indicated for pulpotomy were chosen and are divided into two groups. Soft enamel and dentinal caries were removed using spoon excavator. Access opening was done using highspeed cool water handpiece. Normal saline was used to irrigate pulp chamber, later saline moistened cotton pellet was used to obtain hemostasis in both groups. Restorations were placed in respective groups and immediate postoperative radiographs were taken. Follow-ups were done at every 3 months intervals, i.e., 3, 6, 9, and 12 months respectively. RESULTS: Statistical evaluation was carried out by using paired t-test which showed no significant difference between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05) with high success rate of 95.5%. CONCLUSION: Pulpotomy with MTA and Biodentine is a reliable biological method for pulp treatment of primary teeth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mineral trioxide aggregate and Biodentine could be considered as a reliable biological method for pulp-otomy of primary teeth.

Evaluation and Comparison of Changes in Microhardness of Primary and Permanent Enamel on Exposure to Acidic Center-filled Chewing Gum: An in vitro Study.

OBJECTIVES: The study is to evaluate changes in microhardness of enamel after exposure to acidic center filled chewing gum on primary and permanent teeth. METHODS: Thirty primary and 30 permanent molar extracted teeth were painted with acid resistant varnish except a small window over buccal surface. Teeth were divided into four groups according to type of teeth and type of chewing gum (Center fresh and Bubbaloo) (D1, P1, D2 and P2); each tooth was exposed to whole chewing gum mashed with 5 ml of artificial saliva for five minutes at room temperature twice a day for 5 days. After the exposure, teeth were stored in deionized water and submitted for microhardness tests. RESULTS: Paired t-test and independent sample t-test were used for statistical analysis. A significant reduction in microhardness was found between exposed and unexposed areas in all groups. There was no statistically significant difference in reduction of microhardness to chewing gums, and between primary and permanent enamel. CONCLUSION: There is a definite reduction in microhardness in all groups exposed to chewing gums. Both the chewing gums are equally erosive; both permanent and primary teeth were affected. How to cite this article: Mudumba VL, Muppa R, Srinivas NCH, Kumar DM. Evaluation and Comparison of Changes in Microhardness of Primary and Permanent Enamel on Exposure to Acidic Center-filled Chewing Gum: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(1):24-29.