Biological restorations as an alternative treatment for primary posterior teeth

Effect of Liquorice Candies on Remineralization of Initial Enamel Carious Lesion

Background

Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra), known as liquorice root is one such herbal remedy that has been shown to have immense potential in the treatment of orofacial diseases.

Aim

To evaluate the remineralizing potential of liquorice extract on initial enamel carious lesions.

Materials and methods

An in vitro and in vivo study was conducted, wherein the sound-extracted human premolars were sectioned longitudinally and into enamel blocks of size 4 × 4 mm. Enamel blocks were demineralized to produce artificial carious lesions. In vitro study, the demineralized enamel block was exposed to artificial saliva for 5 minutes and artificial saliva containing liquorice for 4 minutes 14 times in a sequential manner. An in vivo study was carried out on six volunteers aged between 6 and 12 years. The demineralized enamel block was inserted into the 5 × 5 mm window created on the full palatal coverage appliance. Patients were given commercially available liquorice candies (Ricola) to consume for 7 days twice daily. The remineralization potential of liquorice on demineralized enamel block was assessed using confocal microscopy analysis.

Results

Liquorice extract containing candies showed visual remineralization of the demineralized area on the enamel surface through confocal images.

Conclusion

Liquorice extract possesses remineralizing potential with its other medicinal properties.  .

How to cite this article

Pooja HR, Nagar P, Mascarenhas AN, et al. Effect of Liquorice Candies on Remineralization of Initial Enamel Carious Lesion. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-1):S33-S38.

Biological restoration in pediatric dentistry: a brief insight

Dental caries is the most prevalent disease in humans, especially during early childhood. The restoration of such an extensive carious lesion should be done properly to reestablish their anatomy and hence their masticatory, phonetic, esthetic and space-maintainer functions in the dental arches. The consequences of premature loss of primary teeth are well known, namely the loss of vertical dimension of occlusion, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing habits, which can be the sources of future malocclusion. Satisfactory restoration of these teeth, improving esthetics, along with the management of space and function has always been a challenge for pediatric dentist. An ever increasing demand for esthetics has led to innovation and development of newer treatment modalities for these problems. In an attempt to widen the treatment options as biologically and conservatively as possible, tooth structure is used as a restorative material to rehabilitate severely destroyed tooth crowns. This technique consists of bonding sterile dental fragments, obtained either from the patient or from a tooth bank, to the teeth. Such a technique was termed as ‘biological restoration’.

This article aims at reviewing the evolution, techniques and outcome of such biological restorations.

How to cite this article: MD Indira, Dhull KS, Nandlal B, Kumar PSP, Dhull RS. Biological Restoration in Pediatric Dentistry: A Brief Insight. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(3):197-201.

Biological restorations as an alternative to reconstructing posterior teeth: a case report

This article reports on a three-year follow-up of two biological restorations performed on a 15-year-old female patient. After clinical evaluation, tooth fragments from extracted permanent molars were obtained from a Human Teeth Bank and were autoclaved, adjusted to the prepared cavity, and bonded to the remaining tooth structure with dual resin cement. The technical aspects are described and the benefits and disadvantages of biological restorations as an alternative treatment for rehabilitation of severely destroyed permanent molars are discussed.

Biological restorations as a treatment option for primary molars with extensive coronal destruction: report of two cases

This article reports the cases of two young children aged 4 and 5 years, in whom biological restorations using tooth fragments were placed in primary molars with severely damaged crowns due to extensive carious lesions. After radiographic and clinical evaluation, tooth fragments obtained from extracted teeth in stock were autoclaved, adjusted to the prepared cavity and bonded to the remaining tooth structure with either adhesive system (Case 1) or dual-cure resin-based cement (Case 2) over a calcium hydroxide layer and a glass ionomer cement base. Occlusal adjustment was performed and topical sodium fluoride was applied to tooth surface. Periodical clinical and radiographic controls were carried out and the restored teeth were followed up for 4 and 3 years, respectively, until exfoliation. In these two reports, the technical aspects are described and the benefits and disadvantages of biological restorations as an alternative treatment for rehabilitation of severely destroyed primary molars are discussed.