Outcome of vital pulp therapy in deeply carious molars affected with molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) defects: a randomized clinical trial

Knowledge, and treatment of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among dentists in Jordan: a cross-sectional questionnaire based study

AIM

The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, and treatment of MIH among dentists in Jordan.

METHODS

An online questionnaire using Google Forms was sent to the dentists who were registered with the Jordan Dental Association and worked in Jordan through social media groups. The questionnaire consisted of three sections, sociodemographic characteristics, the knowledge of dentists about the aetiology, diagnosis, and prevalence of MIH, and treatment options and barriers for treating MIH. Descriptive statistics with chi-squared test was used, and level of statistical significance was set to 5%.

RESULTS

A total of 388 dentists had responded to the questionnaire (response rate 24.25%), (80.7%) reported that they have come across MIH cases during their practice. Yellow/brown demarcations were reported as the most common presentation of MIH (45.6%). All paediatric dentists were confident in diagnosing MIH, this was statistically higher than that reported by general dentists (56.8%) and dentists of other specialities (60.2%), P = 0.000. Pre-formed metal crowns were the treatment of choice for (57.2%) of participant, followed by composite restorations (52.3%). Child behaviour (56.2%), and late acknowledgment of the defect by the parents (46.1%) were the most encountered barriers for treatment.

CONCLUSION

Molar incisor hypomineralisation is a common condition that is encountered frequently by general dental practitioners as well as dental specialists, nevertheless most dentists were not aware about the prevalence of MIH in Jordan and indicated their need to improve their approach regarding MIH diagnosis and treatment.

Management strategies for pulpitis in vital permanent teeth in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

PURPOSE

Vital pulp treatment (VPT), including pulp capping and pulpotomy, is a conservative approach designed to maintain pulp vitality and health in reversible and partially irreversible pulpitis cases, particularly in children and adolescents with immature or mature permanent teeth. Despite extensive research, the comparation of various VPTs remains uncertain. This study evaluated the efficacy of different VPT techniques and capping materials, including calcium hydroxide (CH), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and other pulp-protecting agents (PPA), and explored heterogeneity across trials, particularly with respect to pulp status (reversible vs. irreversible) and coronal restorations, using meta-regression analysis.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, was conducted through a comprehensive search in PubMed and Scopus up to August 2024. The PICO framework was used to define the inclusion criteria: Population (children/adolescents with vital permanent teeth diagnosed with pulp inflammation), Intervention (various VPTs), Comparison (different PPAs and restoration types), and Outcome (success rates based on clinical/radiographic criteria). Odd ratios (ORs) were calculated using random-effects models. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Meta-regression analysis was performed to explore the influence of co-interventions on the success rate (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Nineteen randomized controlled trials involving 1183 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed no significant difference between CH and MTA/PPA at 6 months (OR = -0.62; P = 0.26); however, at 12 months, CH demonstrated a significantly lower success rate compared to MTA/PPA (OR = -1.34; P = 0.01). Meta-regression analysis indicated that factors such as pulp status, restoration type, and VPT techniques did not significantly predict treatment success.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that various VPT techniques utilising MTA/PPA are effective for managing reversible/irreversible pulpitis in mature/immature permanent teeth in children/adolescents. In contrast, CH is less favourable and not recommended for VPT. These results reinforce the growing evidence supporting the use of MTA and other evidence-supported PPAs over CH for long-term success in VPTs.

The role of endodontists in managing patients with molar incisor hypomineralisation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of endodontists in the management of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) in children, focusing on the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

METHODS

A review of the current literature and clinical approaches was conducted, emphasising the endodontic considerations regarding MIH.

RESULTS

37 relevant articles were identified. The findings suggest that selective caries removal and vital pulp therapy (VPT) are essential approaches to preserving the vitality of compromised first molars, although there is a scarcity of evidence addressing specifically the management of molars affected by MIH. Diagnosing pulpal conditions in children with MIH is challenging, as pulp tests may be unreliable. This can lead to exaggerated responses and an increased risk of misdiagnosis, resulting in unnecessary treatments like endodontic therapy or extractions. The involvement of endodontists is critical, especially when minimally invasive techniques are needed to preserve dental tissue. Endodontists face additional challenges related to pulp therapy in these patients due to subclinical pulp inflammation, which can impair anaesthesia effectiveness and reduce a child's cooperation.

CONCLUSION

Interdisciplinary collaboration between paediatric dentists and endodontists is essential for improving outcomes in MIH management. The development of advanced behaviour management skills and minimally invasive treatment approaches is recommended to enhance patient care.

Vital Pulp Therapy Outcomes in Children's First Permanent Molars Under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Pulpotomy is a proven treatment option for permanent teeth with pulp involvement, showing high success rates similar to root canal treatment. General anesthesia (GA) is used when traditional dental procedures are not feasible, especially in pediatric cases. Despite its effectiveness, limited data on endodontic treatments under GA is available, with many guidelines favoring extractions. This study aimed to evaluate the success rate of pulpotomies performed under GA on children's first permanent molars and to identify factors influencing treatment outcomes.

METHODS

The study involved 171 pediatric patients, aged 8 to 12, who underwent pulpotomy procedures on 197 teeth at a public dentistry clinic between January 2018 and July 2022. Clinical and radiographic follow-ups were conducted at different intervals to assess the effectiveness of the treatments, achieving a recall rate of 83%.

RESULTS

The overall success rate of pulpotomies performed under GA was 93.36%. Success rates varied according to the follow-up period: 100% at 1-12 months, 97.70% at 13-24 months, and 87.76% at 25-36 months. The etiology of the tooth's condition significantly affected outcomes, whereas patient age, sex, and tooth maturity did not have a significant impact.

CONCLUSION

Pulpotomy in permanent molars is an effective treatment option for managing carious lesions, especially when performed under GA.

Comparative evaluation of full and partial pulpotomy in permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to conduct a comparative evaluation of partial and full pulpotomy techniques in cariously exposed teeth with symptoms indicative of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched. Studies evaluating and/or comparing clinical and/or radiographic success of partial and full pulpotomy in teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis with a minimum of 12 months follow-up were included. The risk of bias (ROB) tool was used for the assessment of ROB. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the healing outcome of partial and full pulpotomy. Three studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, there was a low risk of bias in each of the five domains. Full pulpotomy had a higher success rate than partial pulpotomy, according to meta-analysis, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Treatment Approaches to Molar Incisor Hypomineralization: A Systematic Review

AIM

This systematic review aimed to comprehensively evaluate the available literature on treating molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) or enamel hypomineralization published between 2013 and 2023, focusing on identifying relevant studies and their characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search process encompassed reputable academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, using a precise keyword strategy ("((molar incisor hypomineralization) OR (enamel hypomineralization)) AND (treatment)"). A total of 637 articles were initially retrieved, followed by a strict selection process adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria encompassed Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), case series with more than five clinical cases (CSs), studies involving human participants, availability as free full-text or accessible with university credentials, and English-language publications. Exclusion criteria included systematic or literature reviews, editorials, single-case reports, studies conducted in vitro, those involving animals, paid articles, and non-English-language publications.

RESULTS

The search yielded 864 articles, of which 23 met the stringent inclusion criteria after a meticulous selection process. These studies will serve as the basis for a comprehensive analysis of MIH treatment approaches. The systematic review ensures the quality and relevance of the chosen studies for a detailed assessment of MIH treatment strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review will provide valuable insights into the characteristics of selected studies, patient profiles, and available treatment options for molar incisor hypomineralization, contributing to a better understanding of this dental condition's management.

Partial Pulpotomy in Young Permanent Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of partial pulpotomies in deep caries processes or post-eruptive defects in young, vital permanent teeth. Four electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, were searched, followed by a manual search in the reference lists. Randomized controlled trials evaluating partial pulpotomy with a follow-up period of ≥12 months were included. A meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed. A total of 3127 articles were retrieved, and after duplicate removal, 2642 were screened by title and abstract; 1 additional article was found during the manual search, and 79 were identified. Finally, six papers were included in the review. Regardless of the partial pulpotomy modalities or material used, there were no significant differences between clinical and radiographic success rates (cumulative success rate 91.8-92.3%). Five studies were included in the meta-analysis that did not indicate any statistically significant differences in success rates when mineral trioxide aggregate was compared to other materials (95% confidence interval: 0.239 to 1.016; p = 0.055). The present research systematically evaluates the evidence and summarizes the available data on partial pulpotomy in young permanent teeth. Given its high clinical and radiographic success rate, partial pulpotomy should be considered when vital pulpal therapy needs to be performed in highly damaged young permanent teeth, as this procedure provides a biological benefit and allows more invasive endodontic treatments to be postponed.