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Clinical Evaluation of Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy as Treatment Options for Deciduous Molars with Periapical Periodontitis

Received: 22 April 2024     Accepted: 10 May 2024     Published: 14 June 2024
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Abstract

Deciduous teeth, owing to their special anatomical structure, are highly vulnerable to apical periodontitis, particularly when afflicted with deep caries or other endodontic diseases. Traditionally, root canal therapy (RCT) has been the gold standard among pediatric dentists all along. Nevertheless, due to its inherent limitations, researchers are actively exploring alternative therapeutic approaches these years. This study introduces a new treatment modality known as vital inflamed pulp therapy (VIPT). The primary aim of this investigation was to assess the practical feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of VIPT in managing apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth comparing to RCT. After rigorous patients evaluation and examination, VIPT was chosen as the preferred treatment plan, followed by one year long-term follow-up observations. The outcomes revealed that most positive seamless healing of the periapical lesion without any complications in VIPT as the ones in RCT. Notably, the development of the permanent tooth embryo remained unaffected and progressed as anticipated. In conclusion, this study validates the therapeutic potential of VIPT in treating apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth, offering a novel approach for managing deciduous tooth diseases. The clinical application of this method is expected to enhance patient experiences and prognostic outcomes in the treatment of deciduous tooth pathologies.

Published in International Journal of Dental Medicine (Volume 10, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14
Page(s) 14-17
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy, Apical Periodontitis, Deciduous Tooth, Root Canal Therapy

1. Introduction
The fundamental aim of root canal therapy (RCT) is to meticulously remove the utmost quantity of pulp tissue from the root canal, subsequently filling it with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medications . Given its acceptable success rate in the treatment of apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth, RCT remains a preferred treatment option among the majority of pediatric dentists . Despite its widespread application in addressing apical periodontitis in deciduous molars , we found that a proportion of parents may reject RCT, because of its complicated procedures, higher costs, low value of deciduous teeth and so on. In addiction, many children are afraid of RCT because it requires a lot of sharp shaped instruments. The above reasons have all led to the unsatisfactory progress of RCT. Consequently, pediatric dental researchers are diligently searching for more efficient and child-oriented alternative therapeutic approaches.
In years of clinical experience, we have found that there are many cases of residual viable pulp tissue may persist within the root canal of teeth affected by apical periodontitis. Similar to observations made in permanent teeth , we have noticed that when probing the canal orifice or canal in deciduous molars with apical periodontitis, a significant proportion of children experience pain, a clinical indicator suggestive of the presence of viable pulp tissue. It is hypothesized that this tissue may be in an inflammatory state rather than necrotic , thus Inspire us that retaining the potential to regain its proliferative and differentiative abilities following the resolution of inflammation, could lead to the reinstatement of pulp function. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we strive to preserve this viable dental pulp tissue instead of removing all dental pulp, like RCT . Furthermore, several scholars have demonstrated that, in young permanent teeth, preserving pulp tissues can facilitate the ongoing physiological development of roots that have been compromised by apical periodontitis, an approach known as VIPT . However, currently this treatment method is only limited to young permanent teeth. Therefore, we specifically applied this method directly to deciduous teeth to explore its feasibility.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Basic Information
The study was approved by the ethics committee of Research Ethics Committee of Shenzhen Materity and Child Healthcare Hospital (ethics NO. SFYLS[2022]049). 50 molars from 50 children aged 3-8 years according to the previous study . The criteria for case selection in the study were: the presence of occlusion pain/pain to percussion, sinus opening/abscess, mobility≤1, bifurcation/periapical radiolucency and root resorption less than one-third.
2.2. Study Procedure
Children were diagnosed as periapical periodontitis by inquiry, clinical and radiological examination; they were divided into two groups by random; parents fully understood the experimental procedure and signed the informed consent; treatments were conducted according to the procedure of VIPT group and RCT group; follow-up examinations were conducted at 1 year after treatment with the records of clinical and radiological examination.
2.3. Procedure of VIPT Group
The area around tooth with apical periodontitis was disinfected, topical anesthetized (Compound Lidocaine Cream, 5%, Tongfang Pharmaceutical Group Co., LTD, China) and local anesthetized (Articaine Hydrochloride and Epinephrine Tartrate Injection, 1.7 mL/branch, France). A rubber dam (KSK, Japan) was placed. Teeth were removed carries, and pulpotomy was performed to expose all canal orifices. A small amount of blood was observed emanating from the canal orifices, and the child reported mild pain when probed with a size 15 K-file (MANI HANOI, Japan). The pulp chamber and canal orifices were irrigated with 3% sodium hypochlorite (Zhongding, China). A small cotton ball soaked in 3% sodium hypochlorite was placed for 5 minutes, resulting in cessation of bleeding from the canal orifices. The area was then rinsed with saline (Kelun, China), and a layer of iRootBP Plus (Innovative Bioceramix, Canada) thicker than 2mm was placed over the canal orifices and pulp chamber floor. Glass ionomer cement (SHOFU, Japan) was used as a base, followed by the application of light curing composite resin (SHOFU, Japan; 3M ESPE, USA) for restoration. The rubber dam was removed, the tooth were received occlusal examination, adjustment, polishing, and the patient and his parents were informed of postoperative precautions.
2.4. Procedure of RCT Group
The preparatory procedure is the same as 2.3. The pulp chamber was accessed and necrotic pulp tissue was removed with a fissure bur. The root length was determined using diagnostic radiographs to guide the treatment. Each canal was gradually enlarged using A size 15 K-file (MANI HANOI, Japan) and Protaper system (Dentsply, Switzerland) gradually larger in size 30. Copious irrigations with 3% sodium hypochlorite were performed between instrument changes to maximize debris removal. The canals were then dried using sterile paper points. Vitapex (Vitapex, Japan) was directly injected into the canals. The restoration is the same as 2.3.
2.5. Statistical Analysis
WPS office (12.1.0.15398, WPS Beijing, China) was used for the statistical analysis. The data were expressed as n or %. Z-test was employed for the success rates of two groups at 1 year according to the previous study . A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
3. Results
3.1. Comparison of Clinical Features Between Two Groups
At the follow-up examination at 1 year, in the VIPT group, 3 cases reported occlusion pain/pain to percussion, 7 cases showed sinus opening/abscess, 5 cases had abnormal mobility (Table 1). Therefore, the clinical success rate of the VIPT group was 72% (Table 2). In the RCT group, 2 cases reported occlusion pain/pain to percussion, 4 cases showed sinus opening/abscess, 2 cases had abnormal mobility, (Table 1). Therefore, the clinical success rate of the RCT group was 84% (Table 2). After statistically analysing, there was no significant difference in clinical success rates between two groups (P=0.087) (Table 2).
3.2. Comparison of Radiological Features Between Two Groups
At the follow-up examination at 1 year, in the VIPT group, 9 cases still had bifurcation/periapical radiolucency, 7 cases had increased root resorption, 3 cases had permanent tooth embryo incline (Table 1). Therefore, the radiological success rate of the VIPT group was 64% (Table 2). In the RCT group, 8 cases still had bifurcation/periapical radiolucency, 7 cases had increased root resorption, 3 cases had permanent tooth embryo incline (Table 1). Therefore, the radiological success rate of the RCT group was 68% (Table 1). After statistically analysing, there was no significant difference in clinical success rates between two groups (P=0.345) (Table 2).
Table 1. Clinical and radiological features of two groups after treatment.

Number (n)

VIPT

RCT

Clinical features

Occlusion pain/pain to percussion

3

2

Sinus opening/abscess

7

4

Abnormal mobility

5

2

Radiological features

Bifurcation/periapical radiolucency

9

8

Increased root resorption

7

7

Permanent tooth embryo incline

3

3

Table 2. Clinical and radiological success of two groups after treatment.

Results

Number (%)

P-value

VIPT

RCT

Clinical success

18 (72%)

21 (84%)

0.087

Radiological success

16 (64%)

17 (68%)

0.345

4. Discussion
Although RCT is conventionally regarded as the standard treatment for apical periodontitis in deciduous molars, it comes with various disadvantages, including significant cost, a prolonged treatment period, and the necessity for numerous instruments. These factors frequently contribute to a negative treatment experience for children and a low level of acceptance among parents . Especially, Achanta A et al hold the opinion that RCT requires the sharp metal instruments and complex procedures causing psychological and physiological discomfort to children . For this reason, it is critical for us to explore alternative treatment method which both meet the requirement of parents and children from now on.
This study introduce the VIPT applied directly to deciduous teeth with apical periodontitis in order to explore its feasibility. Through the innovative application of VIPT from young permanent teeth, we have achieved acceptable therapeutic outcomes from the results. One year follow-up assessments revealed 72% of the teeth have complete eradication of the occlusion pain/pain to percussion, sinus opening/abscess and abnormal mobility; and 64% have complete eradication of bifurcation/periapical radiolucency, the abscess of increased root resorption and permanent tooth embryo incline. To analyse the results in detail, in clinical success rate, VIPT is 12% lower than RCT, and in radiological success rate, VIPT is 4% lower than RCT. Even though rhe overall success rate of VIPT is lower than RCT, the positive results of VIPT group have no significant difference compared to the RCT group (P=0.087 & 0.345). Taking into account the success rates of both groups, compared to the RCT group, the VIPT has more advantages: lower price, shorter dentist operation time, fewer required instruments, higher comfort for children, and higher acceptance by parents.
The characteristic large or open apical foramen in deciduous molars facilitates a robust blood flow within the root canal . This ample blood supply, enriched with antibacterial factors and stem cells, allows most deciduous molars to maintain partial pulp vitality although afflicted with apical periodontitis . Our years of clinical experience have also proven this situation. This biological mechanism underlies the success of VIPT. Nevertheless, the existing researches in this area has predominantly centered on young permanent teeth, and they have achieved most success . In this study, we applied VIPT to deciduous molars and demonstrated its advantages from another perspective.
5. Conclusions
Even if RCT is commonly employed for treating apical periodontitis in deciduous molars, this study indications that VIPT could be more suitable for them with residual vital pulp tissue because of its equal therapeutic effect and higher convenience.
Abbreviations

RCT

Root Canal Therapy

VIPT

Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy

Author Contributions
Yun Liu: Resources, Supervision, Writing-review & editing
Jin Sun: Investigation, Methodology, Project implement, Writing-original draft
Funding
This work is supported by the Health Economics Society of Shenzhen (2023132) and the Hospital Research Fund Project (FYB2022008).
Data Availability Statement
The data supporting the outcome of this research work has been reported in this manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
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    Liu, Y., Sun, J. (2024). Clinical Evaluation of Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy as Treatment Options for Deciduous Molars with Periapical Periodontitis. International Journal of Dental Medicine, 10(1), 14-17. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14

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    Liu, Y.; Sun, J. Clinical Evaluation of Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy as Treatment Options for Deciduous Molars with Periapical Periodontitis. Int. J. Dent. Med. 2024, 10(1), 14-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14

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    AMA Style

    Liu Y, Sun J. Clinical Evaluation of Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy as Treatment Options for Deciduous Molars with Periapical Periodontitis. Int J Dent Med. 2024;10(1):14-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14,
      author = {Yun Liu and Jin Sun},
      title = {Clinical Evaluation of Vital Inflamed Pulp Therapy as Treatment Options for Deciduous Molars with Periapical Periodontitis
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Dental Medicine},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {14-17},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijdm.20241001.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijdm.20241001.14},
      abstract = {Deciduous teeth, owing to their special anatomical structure, are highly vulnerable to apical periodontitis, particularly when afflicted with deep caries or other endodontic diseases. Traditionally, root canal therapy (RCT) has been the gold standard among pediatric dentists all along. Nevertheless, due to its inherent limitations, researchers are actively exploring alternative therapeutic approaches these years. This study introduces a new treatment modality known as vital inflamed pulp therapy (VIPT). The primary aim of this investigation was to assess the practical feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of VIPT in managing apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth comparing to RCT. After rigorous patients evaluation and examination, VIPT was chosen as the preferred treatment plan, followed by one year long-term follow-up observations. The outcomes revealed that most positive seamless healing of the periapical lesion without any complications in VIPT as the ones in RCT. Notably, the development of the permanent tooth embryo remained unaffected and progressed as anticipated. In conclusion, this study validates the therapeutic potential of VIPT in treating apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth, offering a novel approach for managing deciduous tooth diseases. The clinical application of this method is expected to enhance patient experiences and prognostic outcomes in the treatment of deciduous tooth pathologies.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - Deciduous teeth, owing to their special anatomical structure, are highly vulnerable to apical periodontitis, particularly when afflicted with deep caries or other endodontic diseases. Traditionally, root canal therapy (RCT) has been the gold standard among pediatric dentists all along. Nevertheless, due to its inherent limitations, researchers are actively exploring alternative therapeutic approaches these years. This study introduces a new treatment modality known as vital inflamed pulp therapy (VIPT). The primary aim of this investigation was to assess the practical feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of VIPT in managing apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth comparing to RCT. After rigorous patients evaluation and examination, VIPT was chosen as the preferred treatment plan, followed by one year long-term follow-up observations. The outcomes revealed that most positive seamless healing of the periapical lesion without any complications in VIPT as the ones in RCT. Notably, the development of the permanent tooth embryo remained unaffected and progressed as anticipated. In conclusion, this study validates the therapeutic potential of VIPT in treating apical periodontitis in deciduous teeth, offering a novel approach for managing deciduous tooth diseases. The clinical application of this method is expected to enhance patient experiences and prognostic outcomes in the treatment of deciduous tooth pathologies.
    
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