Esthetic restorative options for pulpotomized primary molars: a review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this manuscript was to review the existing literature in regards to esthetic options to restore pulpotomized primary molars. STUDY DESIGN: A pubmed literature search has been performed and all relevant studies were assessed. RESULTS: Two laboratory, 3 restrospective and 4 prospective clinical studies were found, reviewed and analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited information available, we concluded that tooth colored and bonded restorations showed promising results as alternative materials to replace stainless steel crowns after pulpotomies in primary molars. Hybrid composites tend to perform better than compomers. Resin modified glass ionomer cements demonstrated excellent marginal seal and retention. More long-term follow up studies are necessary until more definitive recommendations can be made.

The influence of triethylcitrate on the biological properties of poly (L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) membranes.

Biodegradable polymers have a variety of uses in basic and clinical research, as well as important therapeutic applications. The most commonly used are poly (lactic acid), poly (glycolic acid) and their copolymer, poly (L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) or PLGA. The incorporation of a plasticizer into a polymer can be used to obtain a product with specific properties. In this work, we examined the influence of a plasticizer (triethylcitrate) on the properties of PLGA membrane implants for human clinical uses. Membranes with and without plasticizer were dense and compact and contained no pores. The incorporation of 7% plasticizer enhanced the degradation the polymer when compared to polymer without plasticizer. In membranes without plasticizer, the initiation of degradation was very slow and was seen only 60 days after implantation, should allow the use of this material in the repair of damage tissue. In both cases, macroscopic analysis showed that there was no adhesion of the membrane to capsule fibrous, and this adversely affected preservation of the polymer. With time, the adherence of the polymer to surrounding tissue increased. Overall there was little degradation of membranes without plasticizer compared to those containing plasticizer.

Subdermal implants of poly(L-lactic acid) with plasticizer: an ultrastructural study in rats.

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) membranes containing 7% triethylcitrate plasticizer were implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of rats, and the cellular reaction was evaluated over a period of 2-180 days. The samples were processed for conventional transmission electron microscopy. Polymorphonuclear-type cells and a fibrin network were seen within membrane pores 2 days after implantation. In subsequent samples, there was cellular infiltration, which consisted mainly of fibroblasts, macrophages and multinuclear giant cells embedded in an abundant extracellular matrix containing a network of collagen fibers and blood vessels. At 90 and 180 days after implantation, a high density of voluminous phagocytic cells with a large number of endocytic polymer fragments within their cytoplasm was seen. These results show that PLLA membranes can support connective tissue proliferation and remodeling, which are important properties for successful bio-protheses.

Morphometrical analysis of multinucleated giant cells in subdermal implants of poly-lactic acid in rats.

The use of bioabsorbable polymers in (bio)medical applications has increased greatly in recent years, mainly because of their good bioreabsorption and biocompatibility. In this work, we examined the development of foreign body giant cells in intimate contact with porous membranes of poly L-lactic acid containing 7% of plasticizer triethylcitrate implanted in the backs of rats. The membranes were removed 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90 and 180 days after implantation, along with a portion of the tissue around the implant. Histological analysis of the implant and tissue revealed the formation of a fibrous capsule from the seventh day of implantation onwards. Foreign body giant cells appeared from the seventh day and increased in number up to the twenty-eighth day and then up to the ninetieth day of implantation, remaining constant up to the end of the study onwards, and increased in number up to the ninetieth day after implantation and then remained constant. The number of nuclei in these cells increased from the seventh day of implantation up to the ninetieth day and then up to the end of the study.