Proposing a CNN Method for Primary and Permanent Tooth Detection and Enumeration on Pediatric Dental Radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a deep learning system for automated tooth detection and numbering on pediatric panoramic radiographs. STUDY DESIGN: YOLO V4, a CNN (Convolutional Neural Networks) based object detection model was used for automated tooth detection and numbering. 4545 pediatric panoramic X-ray images, processed in labelImg, were trained and tested in the Yolo algorithm. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The model was successful in detecting and numbering both primary and permanent teeth on pediatric panoramic radiographs with the mean average precision (mAP) value of 92.22 %, mean average recall (mAR) value of 94.44% and weighted-F1 score of 0.91. The proposed CNN method yielded high and fast performance for automated tooth detection and numbering on pediatric panoramic radiographs. Automatic tooth detection could help dental practitioners to save time and also use it as a pre-processing tool for detection of dental pathologies.

Root resorption pattern in panoramic radiographs of pediatric patients with unilateral posterior crossbite: a cross-sectional and retrospective study / Patrón de reabsorción radicular en radiografías panorámicas de pacientes pediátricos con mordida cruzada posterior unilateral: estudio transversal y retrospectivo

SUMMARY: temporary mandibular molars in panoramic radiographs of pediatric patients with unilateral posterior crossbite (UPCB). This cross-sectional and retrospective study analyzed 114 orthopantomograms of patients between 6 - 9 years of age with unilateral posterior crossbite diagnosis. The first and second mandibular molars were analyzed. Their root resorption stage was typified, and the root lengths were measured; to later compare the data obtained depending on the malocclusion side. 86.4 % of molars showed a linear resorption pattern, and atypical resorption prevalence in patients with UPCB was 13.5 %. The total length average of the first molars on the side of the malocclusion was 8.20 mm, while the contralateral exhibited a mean of 9.29 mm. Lastly, the second molars had a mean length of 11.12 mm in crossbite side and 12.30 mm in the normal occlusion side. UPCB could affect physiological resorption by observing a resorption alteration in those mandibular molars located on the malocclusion side.

RESUMEN: El trabajo de este estudio se realizó en molares mandibulares temporales en radiografías panorámicas de pacientes pediátricos con mordida cruzada posterior unilateral (MCPU). Este estudio transversal y retrospectivo analizó 114 ortopantomografías de pacientes entre 6 - 9 años de edad con diagnóstico de mordida cruzada posterior unilateral. Se analizaron los primeros y segundos molares mandibulares. Se tipificó su estado de reabsorción radicular y se midió la longitud de las raíces; para luego comparar los datos obtenidos según el lado de la maloclusión. El 86,4 % de los molares mostró un patrón de reabsorción lineal y la prevalencia de reabsorción atípica en pacientes con MCPU fue del 13,5 %. El promedio de longitud total de los primeros molares del lado de la maloclusión fue de 8,20 mm, mientras que el contralateral exhibió una media de 9,29 mm. Por último, los segundos molares tenían una longitud media de 11,12 mm en el lado de mordida cruzada y de 12,30 mm en el lado de oclusión normal. La MCPU podría afectar la reabsorción fisiológica al observar una alteración de la reabsorción en aquellos molares mandibulares ubicados en el lado de la maloclusión.

Comparative Evaluation of Adaptation of Esthetic Prefabricated Fiberglass and CAD/CAM Crowns for Primary Teeth: Microcomputed Tomography Analysis.

Adaptation is an important factor for the clinical success of restorations. However, no studies are available evaluating the adaptation of primary crowns. The aim of this study was to compare the adaptation of crowns fabricated by CAD/CAM technology versus prefabricated fiberglass primary crowns. Typodont maxillary central, canine, and mandibular molar teeth were prepared to serve as master dies after the size of Figaro crowns was determined (n = 10). Master dies were scanned with an intraoral scanner, and 10 identical CAD/CAM crowns were fabricated from resin-ceramic blocks. Figaro and CAD/CAM crowns were placed on the corresponding master dies and scanned via micro-CT. Three-dimensional volumetric gap measurements were performed to evaluate the overall adaptation. A total of 255 location-based linear measurements were allocated into 4 categories: marginal, cervical-axial, middle-axial, and occlusal. Statistical analyses were performed with factorial ANOVA, repeated measure ANOVA, and LSD tests (α = 0.05). CAD/CAM crowns showed significantly lower overall and location-based gap measurements than Figaro crowns regardless of tooth number (p < 0.05). For all groups, mean marginal discrepancies were lower than occlusal measurements (p < 0.05). Both crown types showed higher marginal gaps for molar teeth than for canine and central incisors with no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). CAD/CAM-fabricated crowns showed better marginal and internal adaptation than prefabricated Figaro crowns.

Evaluation of Root Canal Obturation Quality in Deciduous Molars with Different Obturation Materials: An In Vitro Micro-Computed Tomography Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the voids in root canal treatment of deciduous molar canals using three obturating materials and two obturation systems using micro-CT. Study Design. Thirty freshly extracted deciduous molars were used in this study. The specimens were instrumented using a ProTaper Universal rotary instrument and randomly assigned into six groups (n = 5). Mesiobuccal root canals were obturated using Ca(OH)2 and iodoform-Ca(OH)2 and ZOE cement. The materials were applied straight from the syringe up to the 2 mm coronal level of the apex. Subsequently, the Lentulo spiral and ultrasonic activation with endoactivator were used for obturation. All samples were scanned by micro-CT with 9.1 µm isotropic voxel resolution. The voids in cross-sectional images and 3D volumes of voids were measured. Differences among materials were statically evaluated (p < 0.05). RESULTS: All study groups showed voids. Ca(OH)2 and iodoform-Ca(OH)2 with ultrasonic activation produced fewer voids whereas the ZOE groups showed higher voids with statistical significance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ca(OH)2 and iodoform-Ca(OH)2 with ultrasonic activation decrease void formation. Further studies should be done with other obturation techniques and materials for deciduous tooth root canal management.

Microdont Developing Outside the Alveolar Process and Within Oral Diffuse and Plexiform Neurofibroma in Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Numerical aberrations of permanent dentition and dystopic tooth eruption are part of the phenotype of the tumor predisposition syndrome neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). In these cases, surplus tooth germs usually develop in the alveolar processes of the jaw. This report attests to the dystopic development of a dysplastic supernumerary tooth in NF1 arising outside the jaw. CASE REPORT: The 8-year-old male patient developed a microdont outside the bone and above the occlusal plane of the retained maxillary right second molar. The supernumerary tooth was completely embedded in oral soft tissue. Hyperplastic oral soft tissue in the molar region and microdont were excised. Specimen of the mucosa surrounding the teeth was interspersed with diffuse and plexiform neurofibroma. The retained upper right first molar emerged spontaneously within a few months after surgery. The upper right second molar did not change position. CONCLUSION: Odontogenesis can take place within tumorous oral mucosa in NF1. Surgical removal of the tumorous mucous membrane facilitates tooth eruption in some cases.

Specific oral and maxillofacial identifiers in panoramic radiographs used for human identification.

Radiographically assisted dental identification is an important means for individual identification. Specific identifiers help to quickly filter some of the possible corresponding AM and PM images at the beginning. The study seeks specific oral and maxillofacial identifiers in panoramic radiographs. A total of 920 panoramic radiographs from 460 live patients were used. The most recent radiograph served as the surrogate post-mortem (PM) record of an unidentified person, and the earliest radiograph served as the ante-mortem (AM) record of the same person. We evaluated the following four groups of identifiers of the images: (1) dental morphology, tooth number, and position; (2) dental treatment and pathology; (3) morphological identifiers of the jaw; and (4) pathological identifiers of the jaw. The ratio of each identifier being identified simultaneously in the AM and PM databases was determined. Specific identifiers were defined as those that appeared at low frequency (ratio: 0%-0.250%). A total of 18 specific oral and maxillofacial identifiers were determined. The specific identifiers were a retained deciduous tooth (0.011%), S-shaped deflection of a tooth root (0.012%), distal deflection of tooth root (0.017%), inverted impaction (0.018%), malposition (0.038%), supernumerary teeth (0.061%), mesial deflection of tooth root (0.092%), microdontia (0.136%), buccal/lingual impaction (0.188%), cementoma (0.002%), hypercementosis (0.002%), continuous crown (0.004%), pulp calcification (0.023%), attrition (0.030%), residual root (0.106%), root resorption (0.137%), implant (0.156%), and osteomyelitis (0.002%). Identifiers of the teeth and jaw can be used for human identification, and dental identifiers are more specific than identifiers of jaw.

Generalised hypomineralisation of enamel in oculodentodigital dysplasia: comprehensive dental management of a case.

Oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD) is a rare congenital disorder characterised by developmental abnormalities of the eye, dentition and digits of the hands and feet, with neurological symptoms reported in 30% of individuals. Dental anomalies associated with ODDD include enamel hypoplasia and subsequent caries, microdontia, missing teeth, amelogenesis imperfecta, pulp stones and delayed tooth development. Here, we describe the comprehensive dental management of a 3-year-old girl who presented with rapid deterioration of the primary dentition due to generalised enamel hypomineralisation. Conservative, comprehensive restorative management was performed under general anaesthesia. Within 6 months, further breakdown of the remaining unrestored enamel was noted. This case documents the challenges of conservative management in dental anomalies that are not well documented due to the extreme rarity of the disorder.

Assessment of physiological disturbances during pre- and early postnatal development based on microscopic analysis of human deciduous teeth from the Late Epipaleolithic site of Shubayqa 1 (Jordan).

OBJECTIVES: To study pre- and early postnatal tooth formation and to analyze the effects of physiological disturbances on enamel and dentin formation in deciduous teeth of infants from the Late Epipaleolithic (Natufian) site Shubayqa 1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten deciduous teeth from six infants (ages at death between 21 and 239 days) were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Marked prism cross-striations and an abnormal wavy course of the prisms were recorded in pre- and postnatal enamel of all analyzed teeth. Single or multiple accentuated incremental lines were observed in prenatal enamel of nine teeth and in postnatal enamel of eight teeth. Accentuated Andresen lines and broader zones exhibiting an enhanced calcospheritic pattern were recorded in the pre- and postnatally formed dentin of nine teeth. DISCUSSION: The structural abnormalities in the pre- and postnatally formed enamel of the infants are considered indicative of chronic stress that negatively affected the activity of secretory ameloblasts. The structural aberrations in pre- and postnatal dentin denote that odontoblasts were also affected by this stress. The presence of single or multiple accentuated incremental lines in pre- and postnatal enamel is interpreted as reflecting (short-term) impacts of higher intensity superimposed on the chronic stress. Our findings suggest compromised maternal health affecting the late fetus and compromised health in newborns. Although limited by the small number of analyzed individuals, the present study contributes to the knowledge of maternal and early infant health conditions in Late Epipaleolithic populations.

Enamel thickness variation in the deciduous dentition of extant large-bodied hominoids.

OBJECTIVES: Enamel thickness features prominently in hominoid evolutionary studies. To date, however, studies of enamel thickness in humans, great apes, and their fossil relatives have focused on the permanent molar row. Comparatively little research effort has been devoted to tissue proportions within deciduous teeth. Here we attempt to fill this gap by documenting enamel thickness variation in the deciduous dentition of extant large-bodied hominoids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used microcomputed tomography to image dental tissues in 80 maxillary and 78 mandibular deciduous premolars of Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Gorilla, and Pongo. Two-dimensional virtual sections were created from the image volumes to quantify average (AET) and relative (RET) enamel thickness, as well as its distribution across the crown. RESULTS: Our results reveal no significant differences in enamel thickness among the great apes. Unlike the pattern present in permanent molars, Pongo does not stand out as having relatively thicker-enameled deciduous premolars than P. troglodytes and Gorilla. Humans, on the other hand, possess significantly thicker deciduous premolar enamel in comparison to great apes. Following expectations from masticatory biomechanics, we also find that the "functional" side (protocone, protoconid) of deciduous premolars generally possesses thicker enamel than the "nonfunctional" side. DISCUSSION: Our study lends empirical support to anecdotal observations that patterns of AET and RET observed for permanent molars of large-bodied apes do not apply to deciduous premolars. By documenting enamel thickness variation in hominoid deciduous teeth, this study provides the comparative context to interpret rates and patterns of wear of deciduous teeth and their utility in life history reconstructions.

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.

Mirror image: an unusual case of prolonged tooth retention in twins

Introduction: Studies of twins are important because environmental and genetic factors seem to be related to the phenotypic alterations. Objective: This paper presents a unique case of monozygotic twins with mirror image of a retained primary central incisor. Case report: Twin male brothers, 9-years-old, presented prolonged retention of the primary central upper incisor. The over-retained teeth in one twin were a mirror image of those in the other twin. The first twin presented a prolonged retention of the tooth 51 whereas the other twin presented a prolonged retention of tooth 61. After radiographic exams the over-retained teeth were extracted. Conclusion: Twins may show similarity in pattern of dental anomalies supporting the influence of genetic factors. In identical twins the location of diagnosed anomalies can be mirror imaged. This fact should lead the professional to examine the pair of twins in order to diagnose any dental anomaly that may be present.

Introdução: Estudos feitos em gêmeos são importantes porque fatores ambientais e genéticos parecem estar relacionados às alterações fenotípicas. Objetivo: Este artigo apresenta um caso raro de gêmeos monozigóticos apresentando imagem em espelho de retenção prolongada de incisivos centrais decíduos superiores homólogos. Relato do caso: Os irmãos gêmeos, com 9 anos de idade, não apresentavam história de trauma orofacial ou doença comum da infância. Após exames clínicos e radiográficos foram identificados a retenção do dente 51 no gêmeo 1 e do dente 61 no gêmeo 2. Em ambos os pacientes, os dentes 11 e o 21 estavam em erupção. O tratamento proposto foi a exodontia dos dentes decíduos com anestesia local e acompanhamento. Conclusão: Gêmeos podem apresentar semelhança no padrão de anomalias dentárias devido à influência de fatores genéticos. Adicionalmente, em gêmeos monozigóticos, a localização das anomalias diagnosticadas pode se apresentar invertidas ou imagem em espelho. Esse fato deve estimular o profissional a examinar o par de gêmeos para diagnosticar qualquer anomalia dentária que possa estar presente. O diagnóstico precoce e tratamento adequados devem ser realizados para evitar danos funcionais e estéticos em pacientes com retenções dentárias.

Dental trauma with intrusive luxation and six-year monitoring: clinical case report / Traumatismo dentário com luxação intrusiva com acompanhamento de seis anos: relato de caso clínico

Objective: this study is designed to report a clinical intrusion case, which exhibited enamel hypoplasia on the crown of tooth 11 and which underwent clinical and X-ray monitoring for six years. Case report: A threeyear- old female patient exhibited intrusion of deciduous teeth 51, 52, 61, and 62. After X-ray, it was detected that teeth 51 and 61 had perforated the nasal cavity floor, but all four teeth had re-erupted and began to be monitored. After six months, teeth 51 and 61 exhibited bone loss in the interproximal area, as well as mobility, which led to tooth extraction. Teeth 52 and 62 re-erupted in a satisfactory position, and exhibited no signs and symptoms of infection, periapical alteration, or mobility. These teeth were therefore maintained in the arch. After six years, it was detected that tooth 11 had erupted with enamel hypoplasia. Final considerations: Longterm clinical and X-ray control proved essential, as it allowed for the early diagnosis of potential alterations, and minimized potential sequelae to the permanent teeth.(AU)

Objetivo: relatar um caso clínico de intrusão com acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico de 6 anos, que apresentou hipoplasia de esmalte na coroa do dente 11. Relato de caso: paciente de 3 anos, sexo feminino, apresentou intrusão dos dentes decíduos 51, 52, 61 e 62. Após radiografia, foi detectado que os dentes 51 e 61 tinham perfurado o soalho da fossa nasal, porém, ocorreu re-erupção dos 4 dentes e foi realizado acompanhamento. Após 6 meses, nos dentes 51 e 61, foram observadas perda óssea na região interproximal e mobilidade, optando-se pelas exodontias. Os dentes 52 e 62 re-erupcionaram em posição satisfatória e com ausência de sinais e sintomas de infecções, alterações periapicais e mobilidade, sendo mantidos no arco. Após 6 anos, foi observado que o dente 11 erupcionou apresentando hipoplasia de esmalte. Considerações finais: mostrou-se essencial o controle, clínico e radiográfico, em longo prazo, diagnosticando precocemente possíveis alterações e minimizando sequelas que podem acometer os dentes permanentes.(AU)

The effects of various irrigation protocols on root canal wall adaptation and apical microleakage in primary teeth.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the wall adaptation and apical microleakage values following the application of various irrigation protocols in primary teeth.Material and methods: For the two parts of the study, extracted upper incisor primary teeth were randomly included to the 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)+1% NaOCl, 6% citric acid (CA)+1% NaOCl and 0.9% physiological saline (PS) groups. Canal wall adaptation and apical microleakage were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and stereomicroscope, respectively.Results: 6% CA + 1% NaOCl group was found to be the most successful irrigation protocol in providing strong canal wall adaptation and less apical microleakage, followed by 10% EDTA +1% NaOCl. 6% CA +1% NaOCl was significantly superior regarding apical microleakage (p < .05).Conclusions: Due to the ability to provide appropriate changes in the root canal walls to make a well-adapted and leak-proof canal filling, 6% CA + 1% NaOCl can be recommended as an irrigation protocol in primary teeth.

Comparative dental anatomy in newborn primates: Cusp mineralization.

Previous descriptive work on deciduous dentition of primates has focused disproportionately on great apes and humans. To address this bias in the literature, we studied 131 subadult nonhominoid specimens (including 110 newborns) describing deciduous tooth morphology and assessing maximum hydroxyapatite density (MHD). All specimens were CT scanned at 70 kVp and reconstructed at 20.5-39 µm voxels. Grayscale intensity from scans was converted to hydroxyapatite (HA) density (mg HA/cm3 ) using a linear conversion of grayscale values to calibration standards of known HA density (R2 = .99). Using Amira software, mineralized dental tissues were captured by segmenting the tooth cusps first and then capturing the remainder of the teeth at descending thresholds of gray levels. We assessed the relationship of MHD of selected teeth to cranial length using Pearson correlation coefficients. In monkeys, anterior teeth are more mineralized than postcanine teeth. In tarsiers and most lemurs and lorises, postcanine teeth are the most highly mineralized. This suggests that monkeys have a more prolonged process of dental mineralization that begins with incisors and canines, while mineralization of postcanine teeth is delayed. This may in part be a result of relatively late weaning in most anthropoid primates. Results also reveal that in lemurs and lorises, MHD of the mandibular first permanent molar (M1 ) negatively correlates with cranial length. In contrast, the MHD of M1 positively correlates with cranial length in monkeys. This supports the hypothesis that natural selection acts independently on dental growth as opposed to mineralization and indicates clear phylogenetic differences among primates.

Accuracy of the DIAGNOcam and bitewing radiographs in the diagnosis of cavitated proximal carious lesions in primary molars.

AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic abilities of near-infrared light transillumination (using the DIAGNOcam) and bitewing radiographs in detecting cavitated proximal carious lesions in primary molars. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional analytical, clinical study. The proximal surfaces of primary molars of healthy 5- to 8-year-old children were radiographically screened for the presence of carious lesions in the enamel or outer third of dentin (D1). Two trained and calibrated examiners evaluated the depth of caries in bitewing radiographs and DIAGNOcam images and then verified the presence of cavitation by direct visual examination using the "International Caries Detection and Assessment System" after temporary tooth separation. RESULTS: A total of 236 proximal lesions were included in the study. Most of the clinically cavitated lesions (51.9%) were D1 radiographically and in outer dentin lesions (scores 3 and 4) by the DIAGNOcam (37% and 48.1%, respectively). Although DIAGNOcam showed higher sensitivity (0.852) compared to the radiographs (0.519), it showed slightly less specificity (0.569) compared to the radiographs (0.579). However, DIAGNOcam showed higher value of the area under the curve (AUC = 0.722; P < 0.001) compared to the radiographic method (AUC = 0.561; P = 0.308). CONCLUSIONS: The DIAGNOcam showed higher sensitivity and better accuracy than bitewing radiographs in diagnosing cavitated proximal lesions in primary molars and can be generally considered as an alternative to radiographs to detect cavitation without the hazards of ionizing radiation in children.

Allium sativum extract as an irrigant in pulpectomy of primary molars: A 12-month short-term evaluation.

This study indented to assess the clinical and radiographic assessment of Allium sativum extract as an intracanal irrigant for pulpectomy of primary molars. Ninety children with 110 teeth submitted were categorized into two groups. Clinical and radiographic success rates were checked at 3, 6, and 12 months. Qui-square test at a level of significance was ˂0.05. There was no statistically significant difference (p Ë‚ .05) between the two groups that has not been detected clinically or radiographically. Clinical and radiographic success rates of garlic extract at 3 months were (80% and 72.7%), which declined at 6 and 12 months to be 76.4% 6 and 74.5% respectively. For NaOCl group, clinical and radiographic success rates were 87.3% and 85.5% at 3 months, 87.3% and 87.3% at 6 months and 89.1% and 87.3% at 12 months. A. sativum extract can be used efficiently as an irrigant for pulpectomy of primary molar root canals.

Corono-radicular dilaceration of a maxillary central incisor: A case report.

Coronoradicular dilaceration is a particular abnormality of the permanent incisors, usually maxillary, and usually occurs around the age of 4 to 5 when the crown is formed and the root is still growing. It follows acute mechanical trauma affecting the temporary incisor. This anomaly of shape is characterized by an angulation between the crown and the root of the permanent tooth. The prognosis may be serious because the affected tooth may not erupt normally. It also compromises possible orthodontic treatment later. Our clinical case is that of a young patient (ES) aged 8 years and 4 months, in good general health condition, consulted for the absence 21 on the arch while the contralateral tooth was present. Interrogation revealed that the patient suffered trauma with severe luxation of the 61 at the age of 3 years. Radiographic examination showed the presence of the germ of 21 with an atypical sickle-shaped position and an image of a hand of a traffic policeman with a crown in a horizontal position. Three-dimensional imaging using a CT scan shows the shape of the 21 with a root angulation. The therapeutic attitude allowed the correction of its axis by an orthodontico-surgical treatment.

Comparison between calcium hydroxide mixtures and mineral trioxide aggregate in primary teeth pulpotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide (CH) associated with two different vehicles as a capping material for pulp tissue in primary molars, compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). METHODOLOGY: Forty-five primary mandibular molars with dental caries were treated by conventional pulpotomy using one of the following materials: MTA only (MTA group), CH with saline (CH+saline group) and CH with polyethylene glycol (CH+PEG group) (15 teeth/group). Clinical and periapical radiographic examinations of the pulpotomized teeth were performed 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Data were tested by chi-squared analysis and a multiple comparison post-test. RESULTS: The MTA group showed both clinical and radiographic treatment success in 14/14 teeth (100%), at all follow-up appointments. By clinical evaluation, no teeth in the CH+saline and CH+PEG groups had signs of mobility, fistula, swelling or inflammation of the surrounding gingival tissue. However, in the CH+saline group, radiographic analysis detected internal resorption in up to 9/15 teeth (67%), and inter-radicular bone resorption and furcation radiolucency in up to 5/15 teeth (36%), from 3 to 12 months of follow-up. In the CH+PEG group, 2/11 teeth (18%) had internal resorption and 1/11 teeth (9%) presented bone resorption and furcation radiolucency at all follow-up appointments. CONCLUSION: CH with PEG performed better than CH with saline as capping material for pulpotomy of primary teeth. However, both combinations yielded clinical and radiographic results inferior to those of MTA alone.

The effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on infected dentin in primary teeth: A randomized controlled clinical trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been used for the treatment of dental caries. Papacarie is a gel composed of papain and chloramine employed for the partial removal of carious tissue, effective against bacteria, however, some studies report that this antibacterial action is not quite so evident. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effect of aPDT on infected dentin in dental caries lesion in primary teeth. METHODS: Thirty-two primary molars with deep occlusal dental caries will be selected and divided in 2 groups: G1 - caries removal with a low-speed drill and G2 - application of aPDT with PapacarieMBlue. After treatment, all the teeth will be restored with glass ionomer cement and followed up clinically and radiographically, with evaluations at 3, 6, and 12 months. Dentin samples before and after treatment will be analyzed microbiologically. The data will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis of the association between the categorical variables and both age and gender using the chi-square test and Fisher exact text. The Student t test and analysis of variance will be used for the comparison of mean signs and symptoms of reversible pulpitis. Pearson correlation coefficients will be calculated for the analysis of correlations among the continuous variables. DISCUSSION: Adding methylene blue dye to the formula of PapacarieMBlue might potentiate the antimicrobial action of aPDT and work more effectively on the infected dentin combined with a conservative, minimally invasive treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02734420 on 10 march 2016.