Evaluation of bacterial leakage and marginal adaptation of the bioceramics pulp dressing materials: an invitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sealing ability and marginal adaptation of three calcium silicate-based cement (Biodentine, Pro root MTA, MTA Angelus) using a bacterial leakage model and scanning electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: Recently extracted lower first premolars were randomly categorized into three experimental groups (n = 15 samples), positive control (n = 5 samples), and negative control group (n = 5 sample). Samples from the experimental groups and positive control group were subject to cavity Class I occlusal preparation followed by modified coronal pulpotomy. Different types of bioceramic dressing material were placed in 3 mm thickness accordingly, group 1 (Biodentine), group 2 (MTA Angelus), and group 3 (ProRoot MTA). No dressing material was placed in the positive control group (group 4). All samples were placed in the incubator for 24 h at 37℃, 100% humidity, for the materials to be completely set. The final restoration was placed using the Z350 resin composite. A double layer of nail varnish was applied over all the sample surfaces except the occlusal site. Whereas the samples' surfaces in the negative control, were completely covered. A 3 mm length was measured from the root apex of the samples from each group, before proceeding with the resection. The bacterial leakage test was performed using Enterococcus faecalis TCC 23,125, and a sample from each experimental group was randomly chosen for SEM. Data analysis was conducted under the One-way ANOVA test, completed by Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: There is a significant difference in sealing ability and marginal adaptation between the groups. (p < 0.05). The study showed that Pro Root MTA had the superior sealing ability and marginal adaptation compared to Biodentine and MTA Angelus. CONCLUSION: The ProRoot MTA as a coronal pulpotomy pulp dressing material, was found to have a better marginal adaptation and sealing ability compared to three other bioceramics materials. The material would be the better choice during clinical settings and procedures.

The Use of Hall's Technique Preformed Metal Crown (HTPMC) by Pediatric Dentists in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Hall's technique preformed metal crown (HTPMC) has been used widely by pediatric dentists in developed countries as a new approach for managing decayed primary molars without local anesthesia, caries removal, and tooth preparation. Currently, inadequate information is available regarding the implementation of this technique (HTPMC) in Malaysia. This study is aimed at evaluating the implementation of HTPMC by Malaysia's pediatric dentists and identify the co-occurrence frequencies of the HTPMC implementation with the respondents' demographic profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based research was conducted among 65 pediatric dentists in Malaysia. Online questionnaires were distributed to the pediatric dentists employed at public hospitals (MOH) and universities in Malaysia. RESULT: It was found that over half of the respondents (65.6%) employed HTPMC. The analysis of the co-occurrence network frequency revealed that a high frequency of female pediatric dentists who were within the age group of 31-40 years old had fulfilled their postgraduation overseas and was employed in the university mainly applied HTPMC. CONCLUSION: The application of HTPMC among respondent pediatric dentists in Malaysia was high. However, most respondents considered HTPMC a treatment option only to manage carious primary molar rather than a treatment of choice.