Evaluation of obturation techniques in primary teeth among Indians

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Dental Materials

Background:

• Effective obturation of root canals in deciduous teeth is crucial for maintaining space and preventing complications.
• Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) paste is a commonly used obturating material in pediatric endodontics.
• Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers advanced visualization for evaluating root canal filling quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of four different obturation techniques for deciduous teeth.
• To determine the optimal obturation methodology using CBCT analysis.
• To evaluate the incidence of underfilling and overfilling with each technique.

Main Methods:

• Four obturation methods were evaluated: endodontic pressure syringe, reamers, Lentulo spirals (slow-speed handpiece), and incremental filling technique.
• Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) paste was used as the obturating material in all groups.
• Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was employed to assess the quality of obturation.

Main Results:

• Lentulo spirals driven by a slow-speed handpiece demonstrated the highest percentage of optimum obturation.
• The reamer technique showed a low percentage of optimally filled root canals.
• Endodontic pressure syringe and reamer techniques resulted in a higher incidence of overfilled root canals.

Conclusions:

• Handpiece-driven Lentulo spirals are an effective method for obturating root canals in deciduous teeth with ZOE paste.
• Reamer and endodontic pressure syringe techniques are associated with a higher risk of overfilling.
• CBCT is a valuable tool for evaluating obturation techniques in pediatric endodontics.