Evaluation of Three Different Pulp Capping Materials in Indirect Pulp Treatment of Primary Teeth

Clinical, Radiographic and Histological Evaluation of Three Different Pulp Capping Materials in Indirect Pulp Treatment of Primary Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this randomized, controlled, three-arm parallel-group, double-blinded clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and histopathological success of three different pulp-capping materials in one-stage indirect pulp treatment of primary teeth.

The study included a total of 109 patients aged 5-9 years who had primary teeth with deep carious lesions with or symptoms of irreversible pulpitis. The teeth were divided into three groups according to the pulp-capping agents: (I) Calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) (control group) (n=36), (II) bioactive tricalcium silicate (Biodentine) (n=37), and (III) resin-based tricalcium silicate (TheraCal LC) (n=36). All the teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically at postoperative months 6, 12, 18, and 24. A total of 23 primary mandibular second molars that were in their regular exfoliation period (24-40 months) were extracted and fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. The specimens were evaluated histologically to assess the integrity of the odontoblastic layer, tertiary dentin formation and the quality of the dentin formed, severity of pulpitis, and other pulpal changes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Deep Caries
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Calcium hydroxide; Other: Biodentine; Other: TheraCal LC

Detailed Description

Following the clinical and radiographic examinations, pulp vitality was assessed with cold thermal test (Chloraethyl; Wehr, Baden, Germany) and electrical pulp test. After local anesthesia injection, rubber-dam isolation was performed. In the first step of the IPC procedure, cavity preparation was performed and the caries were removed using a high-speed dental handpiece with a diamond bur. In the second step, the carious peripheral dentin was removed at the enamel-dentin junction using a high-speed tungsten-carbide bur and the infected and necrotic soft dentin layer in the center was carefully removed to prevent pulp exposure. Cavity excavation was stopped when the residual dentin over the pulp tissue showed increased resistance to manual instrumentation, and the demineralized dentin (affected dentin) was left at the floor of the cavity.

After this stage, the teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups:

Ca(OH)2 Group (Control): The residual demineralized dentin was covered with a thin layer of Ca(OH)2 (Dycal; Dentsply/Caulk, Dentsply International Inc. Milford, DE, USA) in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Biodentine Group: A thin layer of tricalcium silicate-containing pulp-capping material (Biodentine, Septodont, France) consisting of powder and liquid was applied to the demineralized dentin tissue and a 12-min setting time was allowed for hardening, in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.

TheraCal LC Group: Flowable form of resin-reinforced tricalcium silicate-containing material (TheraCal LC, Bisco Inc, IL, ABD) was applied directly onto the demineralized dentin at a maximum thickness of 1 mm and was polymerized for 20 sec (Valo LED, Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, USA), in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Afterwards, in all three groups, capsule glass ionomer cement (Capsule; GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) was placed on each capping material. Following the etching and bonding process, permanent restoration was finished with composite resin (Filtek Z250 Universal Restorative System, 3M ESPE Dental products, USA).

Histological examination A total of 23 primary mandibular second molars that were in their regular exfoliation period (in which the underlying permanent tooth germ had completed 2/3 of root formation) (24) and were found to be clinically and radiographically successful following IPC were extracted by the researcher and were processed for histological examination .All the extracted teeth were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. Three out of 23 specimens were excluded from the study since they were unsuitable for sectioning.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 109
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 1 year to 5 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Previously untreated, vital and asymptomatic lower primary molars with deep caries lesions considered likely to result in pulp exposure if they were treated by a single and terminal excavation
• Positive pulp sensibility tested by an electric pulp tester and cold stimulation,
• Mild discomfort from chemical and thermal stimuli,
• Cooperative children and parents willing to follow the instructions and report for follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Signs of irreversible pulpitis (spontaneous pain, prolonged pain response etc.)
• The presence of percussion or palpation sensitivity, pathological mobility, or infection symptoms like fistula or abscess or discoloration in the clinical examination,
• Absence of normal lamina dura and periodontal range, presence of lesion, internal or external resorption or calcification in or around the root in the radiological examination,
• Children with special health care needs.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: calcium hydroxide; Thirty six primary molar teeth with deep caries lesion were selected to apply indirect pulp therapy with calcium hydroxide. The carious peripheral dentin was removed at the enamel-dentin junction using a high-speed tungsten-carbide bur and the infected and necrotic soft dentin layer in the center was carefully removed to prevent pulp exposure. Cavity excavation was stopped when the residual dentin over the pulp tissue showed increased resistance to manual instrumentation, and the demineralized dentin (affected dentin) was left at the floor of the cavity.The residual demineralized dentin was covered with a thin layer of Ca(OH)2 (approximately 1 mm2) in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Afterwards capsule glass ionomer cement was placed on each capping material. Following the etching and bonding process, permanent restoration was finished with composite resin.	Other: Calcium hydroxide; Calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) is a successful pulp-capping agent activating the repair mechanism by stimulating the dentin-pulp complex. Ca(OH)2, with its bactericidal effects, protects the complex from bacterial effects and also has a stimulating effect on dentin remineralization
Experimental: Biodentine; Thirty seven primary molar teeth were selected to apply indirect pulp therapy with Biodentine. The carious peripheral dentin was removed at the enamel-dentin junction using a high-speed tungsten-carbide-bur and the infected and necrotic soft dentin layer in the center was carefully removed. Cavity excavation was stopped when the residual dentin over the pulp tissue showed increased resistance to manual instrumentation, and the demineralized dentin (affected dentin) was left at the floor of the cavity. A thin layer of tricalcium silicate-containing pulp-capping material (Biodentine) (approximately 1 mm2) consisting of powder and liquid was applied to the demineralized dentin tissue and a 12-min setting time was allowed for hardening, in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Afterwards capsule glass ionomer cement was placed on each capping material. Following the etching and bonding process, permanent restoration was finished with composite resin.	Other: Biodentine; Biodentine has been shown to cause increased calcium ion release and this increase has been associated with the presence of pure tricalcium silicate and calcium chloride and the increased Ca(OH)2 formation
Experimental: TheraCal LC; Thirty six primary molar teeth with deep caries lesion were selected to apply indirect pulp therapy with TheraCal LC. The carious peripheral dentin was removed at the enamel-dentin junction using a high-speed tungsten-carbide bur and the infected and necrotic soft dentin layer in the center was carefully removed. Cavity excavation was stopped when the residual dentin over the pulp tissue showed increased resistance to manual instrumentation, and the demineralized dentin (affected dentin) was left at the floor of the cavity. Flowable form of resin-reinforced tricalcium silicate-containing material (TheraCal LC) was applied directly onto the demineralized dentin at a maximum thickness of 1 mm and was polymerized for 20 sec (Valo LED), in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer. Afterwards capsule glass ionomer cement was placed on each capping material. Following the etching and bonding process, permanent restoration was finished with composite resin.	Other: TheraCal LC; TheraCal LC (Bisco Inc, IL, USA) is a light-cured, resin-modified, calcium silicate-based material designed as a direct/indirect pulp-capping material. This agent has been shown to increase the pH on the pulpal surface thereby stimulating regenerative processes in the pulp, and ultimately contributing to the formation of dentin bridge

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Clinical success rate of indirect pulp treatment	Treatment is considered a clinical failure if one or more of the following signs are observed: Presence of tenderness to percussion or palpation, spontaneous pain or prolonged pain response, discoloration, infectious symptoms such as fistula or abscess, and pathological mobility. The treatment is regarded successful if clinical evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of clinical success from Baseline at 6 month
Clinical success rate of indirect pulp treatment	Treatment is considered a clinical failure if one or more of the following signs are observed: Presence of tenderness to percussion or palpation, spontaneous pain or prolonged pain response, discoloration, infectious symptoms such as fistula or abscess, and pathological mobility. The treatment is regarded successful if clinical evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of clinical success from baseline to 12 month
Clinical success rate of indirect pulp treatment	Treatment is considered a clinical failure if one or more of the following signs are observed: Presence of tenderness to percussion or palpation, spontaneous pain or prolonged pain response, discoloration, infectious symptoms such as fistula or abscess, and pathological mobility. The treatment is regarded successful if clinical evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of clinical success from baseline to 18 month
Clinical success rate of indirect pulp treatment	Treatment is considered a clinical failure if one or more of the following signs are observed: Presence of tenderness to percussion or palpation, spontaneous pain or prolonged pain response, discoloration, infectious symptoms such as fistula or abscess, and pathological mobility. The treatment is regarded successful if clinical evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of clinical success from baseline to 24 month
Radiographic success rate of indirect pulp treatment	For radiographic evaluation, the treatment is rated as a failure when one or more of the following signs are present: lesions in the furcation or periapical regions, internal or external root resorption, and thickening of the periodontal spaces. The treatment is regarded successful if radiographic evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of radiographic success from baseline to 6 month
Radiographic success rate of indirect pulp treatment	For radiographic evaluation, the treatment is rated as a failure when one or more of the following signs are present: lesions in the furcation or periapical regions, internal or external root resorption, and thickening of the periodontal spaces. The treatment is regarded successful if radiographic evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of radiographic success from baseline to 12 month
Radiographic success rate of indirect pulp treatment	For radiographic evaluation, the treatment is rated as a failure when one or more of the following signs are present: lesions in the furcation or periapical regions, internal or external root resorption, and thickening of the periodontal spaces. The treatment is regarded successful if radiographic evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of radiographic success from baseline to 18 month
Radiographic success rate of indirect pulp treatment	For radiographic evaluation, the treatment is rated as a failure when one or more of the following signs are present: lesions in the furcation or periapical regions, internal or external root resorption, and thickening of the periodontal spaces. The treatment is regarded successful if radiographic evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	Change of radiographic success from baseline to 24 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Histological success rate of indirect pulp treatment	For histologic evaluation, the treatment is rated as a failure when one or more of the following signs are present: absent of the integrity of the odontoblastic layer, absent of tertiary dentin formation, presence of pulpitis, presence of fibrosis and dystrophic calcification. The treatment is regarded successful if histologic evaluation does not indicate any signs of failure.	up to 40 months (the teeth were extracted in regular exfoliation period (in which the underlying permanent tooth germ had completed 2/3 of root formation).

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Izmir Katip Celebi University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 8, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 15, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): July 7, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 10, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): February 12, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 12, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 10, 2020
• Last Verified: February 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: deep caries; indirect pulp capping
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Physiological Effects of Drugs; Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents; Calcium
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2014-1-TEZ-54

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No