Objectives/aims:This study aimed to examine the success of vital pulpotomy using natural extracts on primary teeth.Materials and methods:The study was carried out on 60 primary molars in 20 children indicated for pulpotomy. Primary molars were treated with formocresol (20 teeth), propolis ethanolic extract (20 teeth) or thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (20 teeth). Treated teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated after 1, 6 and 12 months.Results:The clinical success of formocresol and propolis groups was 88.2%, whereas the thymus group showed 94.4% with no statistical significance difference. The radiographical success for formocresol and propolis was 73.3%, and thymus was 88.2% without any statistical significance difference detected.Conclusion:Promising clinical and radiographical success rates of propolis and thymus vulgaris obtained when compared with formocresol.

Back to nature is the concept that most of workers in the medical and dental fields are searching for nowadays. Coconut oil and Nigella sativa are used to treat a wide range of health problems. In the dental field they had been documented to possess an inhibitory effect on some oral cariogenic microorganisms. Aim: Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Coconut and Nigella Sativa oils on Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and Candida albicans as a natural mean for prophylaxis against dental caries. Materials and methods: Two herbal oils (Coconut and Nigella sativa) and Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% as a positive control were used in this study. Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli, and Candida albicans were isolated and incubated. Growth inhibitory effect of the tested materials was evaluated by direct contact method for each microorganism separately by adding 0.5 ml. of the tested material to each organism in a sterile tube and incubated at 37°C aerobically for Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans and anaerobically for Lactobacilli then the tested microorganisms were spread on specific media. The count of the microorganisms was expressed as CFU/plate and recorded after 2 and 24 hours. Results: Coconut oil showed marked % of reduction on both SM and Candida albiacans (89.3 % and 87.3 %) after 24 hours contact period. Nigella Sativa oil showed marked reduction on SM after 2 hours only (68.33%) with no effect on Candida albicans. Both oils had no effect on LB. The highest % of reduction of all tested microorganisms was recorded with Chlorhexidine. Conclusions: Coconut oil has a great inhibitory effect on both SM and Candida albicans with this effect extending by time, but no effect on LB. Nigella sativa oil has an inhibitory effect on SM over a short contact period, but this effect decreased and even vanished by time, but it has no effect on neither Candida albicans nor LB. Chlorhexidine showed the most superior results on all tested microorganisms.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of composite releasing Ca and PO4 ions versus conventional glass Ionomer, resin-modified glass Ionomer and hybrid composite regarding remineralization capacity and Microleakage. Methods: thirty-four caries-free premolars were used, and class v cavities were prepared on each tooth. These teeth were divided into four groups and restored with the following materials : (Resin-modified glass Ionomer RMGI, Glass Ionomer GI, Hybrid composite HC, Tetracalcium phosphate composite TTCP). Sixteen teeth were stored in demineralized solution for two days then examined by SEM. All treated teeth were stored in a glass bottle in artificial saliva of pH 7 at 37oC for periods 30 days then examined by SEM. Two specimens used as a baseline. 16 teeth were sectioned longitudinally in a buccolingual direction through the middle of restoration after immersed in 1% methylene blue solution for 24h, observation for marginal leakage was done under Stereomicroscope at 10X. Results SEM micrographs of group glass-ionomer showed almost normal enamel surface with numerous mineral deposits. The resin-modified glass-ionomer showed enamel surface exhibits almost normal appearance and has minute mineral deposits. The hybrid composite showed enamel surface irregularities and slight separation between enamel and restoration and Tetracalcium phosphate TTCP showed almost normal enamel surface that occluded by numerous mineral deposits. Conclusions: Tetracalcium phosphate composite and resin-modified glass ionomer, are highest marginal sealing than either hybrid composite and conventional glass-ionomers. Tetracalcium phosphate composite, are more effective at remineralization capacity than other groups.

Loss of pulp vitality in anterior permanent teeth of children was more commonly attributed to traumatic injuries than to any other causes. This high incidence of traumatic injuries is responsible for the greater frequency with which periapical pathological conditions develop in those teeth. If the dental pulp is damaged before development of the root length and closure of the apical foramen, normal root development is altered or halted completely (1). Such conditions present difficulty in root canal debridement and obturation because of the open apex. Such cases were traditionally treated by apexification procedures using calcium hydroxide.

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