Comparative Evaluation of Cotton PTFE Tape and Foam Pellets as Endodontic Spacer in Primary Teeth: An In Vivo Study

This study was conducted to microbiologically evaluate cotton, PTFE tape, and foam pellets as endodontic spacer in primary teeth.

Thirty primary second molars indicated for pulpectomy were included in this study. Followed by the completion of pulpectomy in each teeth cotton, PTFE tape, and foam pellets were placed as endodontic spacers randomly in 10 teeth each. The samples were collected from the pulp chamber at baseline and after 7 days to evaluate for microbial contamination of the same. The data obtained was tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.

There was a statistically significant increase in the colony forming unit after 7 days in cotton and foam pellet group. But PTFE tape group showed very minimal contamination of the pulp chamber after 7 days.

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that PTFE tape found to be the best alternative to cotton as an endodontic spacer.

In case of multiple visit pulpectomy procedure, the state of sterility must be maintained in between the appointments until a definitive coronal restoration is placed following root-canal obturation. So it is mandatory to place an endodontic spacer under a provisional restoration to maintain the patency of the root canals and prevention of the microbial growth. The PTFE tape is inorganic, nonfibrous material which can be tightly packed without any voids under the provisional restoration. So PTFE tape is the best material to maintain the root canal patency and to provide a sterile environment by preventing the microbial growth under the provisional restoration as an endodontic spacer material in between the appointments.

Somani R, Arya MV, Singh DJ, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Cotton PTFE Tape and Foam Pellets as Endodontic Spacer in Primary Teeth: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(1):74-78.