Clinical and radiographic comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of restoring destroyed primary incisors using two different techniques-A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The restoration of destroyed maxillary primary incisors is difficult because of the insufficient amount of coronal structure. This pilot study aimed to compare the efficacy of composite posts technique and glass fiber posts technique in restoring destroyed primary incisors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six destroyed maxillary primary incisors in 11 children with early childhood caries were randomly assigned after endodontic treatment into two groups: glass fiber posts (n = 18) and composite resin posts (n = 18). Blinded clinical evaluation was made at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months and Blinded radiographic evaluation was made at 6 and 12 months. The evaluation was according to the FDI criteria. Data were analyzed with Fisher's exact test (α = .05). RESULT: After 12 months post-treatment, the success rates were 88.2% in glass fiber posts group and 70.6% in composite resin posts group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups according to the evaluation criteria (p-value >.05). CONCLUSION: Glass fiber posts technique and Composite posts technique may be used in the restoration of destroyed primary incisors.

New regression equations for predicting the size of unerupted canines and premolars in a contemporary population.

The determination of a tooth-size to arch-length discrepancy in the mixed dentition requires an accurate prediction of the mesiodistal widths of the unerupted permanent teeth. This is an essential factor in treatment planning. The aim of this study was to validate Tanaka and Johnston's analysis on 600 Syrian patients aged 14-22 years. Tanaka and Johnston's tables, equations, and approximations were modified in order to improve the accuracy of the prediction. The correlation coefficients found between the size of the permanent mandibular central incisors and maxillary first molars (31, 41, 16, and 26) and the maxillary and mandibular canines and premolars were high (r = .72 and .74, respectively). New, more accurate prediction tables applicable at earlier ages, and new regression equations were constructed. In addition, new easier approximations were developed to allow the prediction of the size of the unerupted maxillary canines and premolars by adding 6 mm to the half-widths of teeth 31, 41, 16, and 26. The analogous prediction of the size of the unerupted mandibular canines and premolars was obtained by adding 5.5 mm to the half-widths of same teeth, 31, 41, 16, and 26.