Background/Aim The placement of a biocompatible material after performing pulp therapy in traumatically exposed permanent incisors is one of the important factors that determine pulp healing. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes when using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Biodentine as pulpotomy materials to maintain the vitality of traumatized immature anterior permanent teeth with pulp exposure. Materials and Methods Fifty traumatized immature anterior permanent teeth with exposed pulps were included in the study. Teeth were equally divided and randomly assigned to two groups MTA or Biodentine. After pulpotomy, pulp stumps were covered with MTA or Biodentine followed by a permanent restoration. Blinded clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at baseline, immediate post‐operative and after 6, 12 and 18 months according to pre‐determined clinical and radiographic criteria. Results No statistically significant differences were observed between MTA and Biodentine for any of the clinical parameters, except for discoloration, which was significantly more prevalent in the MTA group (P < .001). No significant statistical difference was observed in the radiographic outcomes between MTA and Biodentine, as evidenced by continued root development and by an increased prevalence of root formation stage H in both groups. Conclusions Both MTA and Biodentine showed similar clinical and radiographic outcomes when used as pulpotomy materials in the treatment of traumatized immature anterior permanent teeth. However, discoloration was significantly more prevalent in the MTA group.

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is considered a highly contagious disease with flu-like symptoms and causing relatively high level of death. It can be transmitted from a person to another through droplets and that makes the dentists at high risk of infection. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the awareness and knowledge of dental students about the signs and symptoms of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to evaluate their awareness about the required infection control measures during the dental treatment to control the spread of the disease. A questionnaire was formed using Google forms and distributed among dental students and interns in different universities in Cairo, Egypt. Questions were about signs and symptoms of COVID-19, attitude of the dentists toward dental treatment of suspected patients and the required personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control measures at the dental clinic. Results The majority of the participants strongly agreed/agreed that COVID-19 is a highly dangerous disease, Participants reported that the most common symptom is difficulty in breathing (89.4%) followed by fever (84.4%). Face shield was the most recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) during dental treatment (98.6%) followed by disposable gown (96.3%). The majority of participants (84.8%) recommended using 70% ethyl alcohol as the first method to disinfect surfaces in between dental visits, followed by sodium hypochlorite. Conclusions Dental students and interns in Cairo, Egypt, have good knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 and the necessary precautions required to provide adequate dental treatment for the patients during the pandemic COVID-19; however, the importance of infection control should be highlighted for both clinical and preclinical dental students, to provide safe dental treatment to the patients as well as protection of the dentists and healthcare workers.

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Objective: Many studies reported that the subjective clinical and radiographic examination lack the accuracy about the biological status of the pulp tissue. cytokines produced by dental pulp cells may reflect the degree of pulpal inflammation. The purpose of this study is to Correlate the cytokine levels of (IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8) present in coronal dental pulp of primary molars with the success rate of MTA based vital pulpotomy over 18 months follow up period.Methods: 40 primary molars were enrolled. The cases are divided into group A (caries level code 5), group B (caries level code 6). Blood and pulp tissue were collected from the pulp cavity by sterile cotton pellet. The pellet was placed in 0.5ml (500 µl) phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS) to 1/10 final volume in a heparin-coated tube. Levels of cytokines IL-1 α, IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by using ELISA. Results:We found that IL-1 α, IL-6 and IL-8 were significant higher in group (B) than in (A). IL-6 showed the most significant value of expression in comparison to IL-1 α and IL-8 (p-value: 0.011, 0.014 & 0.027 respectively) which denote the prominent role of IL-6 during the inflammatory process in the pulp tissue of primary molars. Conclusion:IL-1 α, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokine expression in primary pulp molars increase with caries progression. Although the significant difference in the cytokine level expression between group A and B, a high success rate of MTA vital pulpotomy was found during the follow up period in both groups.

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