Objectives: Frequency of typical and non-typical root and canal morphology of primary teeth, which in clinical practice cannot be detected using 2D radiographic images, should be known by clinicians to decrease failures arising from complexity of root canal morphologies. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate morphologic variations in mandibular primary molars' root canal systems.
Materials and Methods:Primary mandibular 1 st (n=17) and 2 nd (n=33) molars were scanned using micro-CT. 3D root models were obtained and root canal morphologies were evaluated according to a modified Vertucci classification. Type 1 and Type 4 canal morphologies were evaluated as 'normal' and all other types and 'non-typical' canal morphology were evaluated as 'abnormal' root canal morphology.Results: Most common root canal morphology among mandibular primary 1 st molars were Vertucci Type 4 morphology for both mesial and distal roots (47% and 41.2% respectively), and non-typical morphology for both the mesial and distal roots (45.7% and 21.2% respectively) of mandibular primary 2 nd molars.
Conclusions:Wide range of morphologic variations and frequency of non-typical morphology could be seen especially among mandibular primary 2 nd molars and use of disinfectant irrigants and root canal fillings with high antibacterial efficacies are important in order to decrease failures arising from these inaccessible areas.
Root canal treatment is frequently needed in primary teeth as mostly irreversible pulpal injuries occur as a result of deep dentin caries. Many functional and aesthetic problems can be avoided by keeping the primary teeth in the mouth as a natural space maintainer until the eruption time of the permanent successors. 1 The goals of endodontic treatments are the same as in the permanent teeth. There is the possibility of similar complications such as stripping, perforations, or microcracks during or after endodontic procedures. 1 Studies have reported that the root canals of primary teeth are variable in terms of internal and external anatomy compared with permanent teeth. [2][3][4] In particular, the thickness of the root dentin in the furcation area in the mandibular primary molars is considerably reduced in the distal wall of the mesial
Aim: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced pediatric dentistry to limit clinical procedures due to children’s role in spread of the virus and transmission routes in pediatric patients. In order to minimize contamination and cross-infection risk, dental examinations and treatments had been postponed and patient admission protocols rearranged. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pandemic on the number of patients admitted and treated in the pediatric dentistry clinic of a university hospital in the one-year period following the March 2020 global pandemic declaration.
Methodology: The study included pediatric patients aged 0-14 years admitted to a pediatric dentistry clinic of a faculty of dentistry between March 2019 and March 2021 in order to compare and make a retrospective evaluation of the one-year time intervals before and after the pandemic announcement in March 2020. Children were divided into the age groups 2-6 and 7-14. Evaluation parameters were chosen as examination, radiograph (panoramic and periapical), fissure sealing or local fluoride application, compomer, composite filling, amputation, root canal treatment, prefabricated crown, tooth extraction, and space maintainer.
Results: The results of the study showed a statistically significant decrease in monthly average number of examinations after the declaration of the pandemic regardless of age and gender (p<0.001). In both age groups, there is a proportional decrease in amputation, posterior tooth beam composite filling, fissure sealant or topical fluoride application, root canal treatment, compomer filling, prefabricated crown procedures during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic, while the number of filming procedures increased proportionally (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Dental clinicians were advised to take on more radical treatment options during the pandemic. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of the statistical decrease in the number of procedures in the field of pediatric dentistry and treatment services on long-term community oral health.
How to cite this article: Yüksel BN, Bezgin T. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric dentistry treatment procedures. Int Dent Res 2021;11(3):140-8. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.no3.2
Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.
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