Clinical and Radiographic Success of Electrosurgical Pulpectomy in Primary Teeth

Abstract

A pulpectomy requires the swift extraction of the inflamed tissue. Moreover, the speed of treatment is especially important in the case of uncooperative children. Conventional pulpectomies, however, often require an extended treatment period, which can therefore cause problems with such patients. Electrosurgical methods have been applied to pulpotomies for a number of years. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies to date have assessed its application to pulpectomies. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic success rates over a 6-month follow-up period between conventional and electrosurgical pulpectomies. A total of 50 children aged 4 to 8 years were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. A pulpectomy of the first and second primary molar teeth was seen as the optimal treatment plan in all these patients. One group was treated using the conventional method (C group, 25 teeth) and the other with electrosurgery (ES group, 25 teeth). The patients were evaluated for the presence of pain, mobility, abscess, sinus tract, erythema, tenderness to percussion, internal and external root resorption, and radiolucency. Clinical and radiographic success rates and total working time were assessed. The Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for the statistical analysis. After 6 months of follow-up, the clinical and radiographic success rates were 90.5 and 85.7%, respectively, in the ES group, compared with 88.9 and 72.2%, respectively, in the C group. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>0.05). Working time, however, was significantly shorter in the ES group (p<0.001). This suggests that pulpectomy with electrosurgery reduces treatment time, and is therefore quite useful in situations where duration of the treatment course is of crucial concern.

Success frequency of root canal filling materials most used in pediatric dentistry

“…1 It is worth mentioning that the clinical and radiographic frequencies of success should be carefully analysed and compared, since there is no consensus regarding an ideal standard protocol for the pulpectomy procedure. 2 While most of the studies reported a single intervention visit, 5,6,[9][10][11][12][13][17][18][19]21,22,24,26,32,33 other studies twovisits 9,15,16,23,28,29,31,34 and two did not present the information 20,30 . In addition, regarding the filling techniques, the use of lentulo spirals, 5,6,10-13,15,17,22-24,29,32,34 syringes 6,9,10,16,18,19,21,29,32,33 and K-file 32 were reported.…”

Pulpotomy vs. pulpectomy techniques, indications and complications

“…It is also indicated in case of primary molars or incisors caries that necessitates application of a maintenance arch. 25,26 Pulpectomy can also be used in cases of primary dentitions with necrotic pulps and pulp less primary dentitions particularly when a space maintainer is indicated. 9,11 However, it is not suitable for teeth with underlying cystic lesions (e.g.…”