Premixed Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Setting Reaction in Primary Molar Pulpotomies

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and its derivatives are widely used in pulpotomy procedures for primary teeth.
• Assessing the setting characteristics of new MTA-based materials is crucial for clinical application.
• The influence of overlying restorative materials on the setting of pulpotomy agents requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the setting of premixed mineral trioxide aggregate (NuSmile NeoPUTTY) when used as a pulpotomy agent in primary molars.
• To compare the effect of different overlying materials (zinc oxide eugenol, resin-modified glass ionomer cement, stainless steel crowns) on NeoPUTTY's microhardness.
• To determine if immediate restoration is feasible after NeoPUTTY pulpotomy in a single visit.

Main Methods:

• Forty-eight extracted primary molars underwent standard pulpotomy technique with NeoPUTTY placement.
• Teeth were restored with either no material (control), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE), or ZOE with stainless steel crowns (SSC).
• Microhardness of NeoPUTTY was measured at varying depths from the interface after 24 hours in simulated oral conditions.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in NeoPUTTY microhardness were observed between the groups (control, RMGIC, ZOE, ZOE+SSC) at any measured depth.
• Microhardness values ranged from 57.9 to 62.3 Knoop hardness (HK) across all conditions.
• The depth of measurement did not significantly affect NeoPUTTY's microhardness within each group.

Conclusions:

• The setting reaction of NuSmile NeoPUTTY, assessed by microhardness, is not influenced by the type or presence of overlying restorative materials.
• This in vitro study suggests that immediate restoration of primary molar pulpotomies using NeoPUTTY is clinically viable.
• The findings support the use of NeoPUTTY for single-visit pulpotomy procedures in primary molars without compromising material setting.