Clinical evaluation of root canal obturation methods in primary teeth

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Dental Materials

Background:

• Pulpectomy is a vital treatment for primary teeth with irreversible pulpitis.
• Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) is a common root canal filling material for primary teeth.
• Effective obturation technique is crucial for successful endodontic outcomes in primary dentition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the in vivo efficacy of two lentulo spiral obturation techniques in primary teeth.
• To assess the clinical and radiographic success rates of zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) root canal filling using different lentulo spiral methods.

Main Methods:

• A clinical study involving 50 single-visit ZOE pulpectomies in primary molars of 24 children.
• Root canals were obturated using either a slow-speed handpiece-mounted lentulo spiral or a hand-held lentulo spiral.
• Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed immediately and at 6 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• The slow-speed handpiece lentulo spiral group showed 64% optimal filling and 96% clinical success.
• The hand-held lentulo spiral group demonstrated 48% optimal filling and 92% clinical success.
• Radiographic success was significantly greater for optimally or overfilled canals compared to underfilled ones (P = .009).

Conclusions:

• No statistically significant difference was found between the slow-speed handpiece-mounted and hand-held lentulo spiral techniques.
• Both obturation methods demonstrated comparable root canal filling quality and clinical success rates in primary teeth.
• The choice of lentulo spiral technique does not appear to significantly impact treatment outcomes in pediatric pulpectomies with ZOE.