Evaluation of Triple Antibiotic Paste Pulp Therapy Compared to Vitapex in Primary Molars.

This study evaluated and compared the clinical and radiographic efficacy of non-instrumentation triple antibiotic paste pulp therapy (TAP) versus Vitapex pulpectomy in non-vital primary molars. Healthy 5 to 9 years old children with at least one non-vital primary molar were included in the study. molars were divided based on the subject's cooperation level and parental preference into two groups. In the first group, molars received TAP and in the second group, they received Vitapex pulpectomy followed by a stainless-steel crown. The TAP was freshly prepared and proportioned in equal parts by volume (metronidazole, minocycline, and ciprofloxacin=1:1:1) before the scheduled treatment appointment. The clinical and radiographic examination was performed by two calibrated and trained pediatric dentists at the pre-operative baseline and at the six- and 12-months follow-up visits.

Inclusion criteria

Primary molars with at least one of the following signs and symptoms were eligible and were included in the study:

• badly decayed with signs of irreversible pulpitis,
• necrosis and chronic infection such as: pain or tenderness to percussion and palpation, abscess, fistula-opening, gingival swelling, grade II and greater pathological tooth mobility, evidence of periapical/bifurcation radiolucency,

All the teeth included, had physiological root resorption of less than one third of the root.

Exclusion criteria

• Teeth showing radiographic evidence of excessive internal or external root resorption,
• perforated pulpal floor,
• excessive bone loss in furcation area involving the underlying tooth germ,
• non- restorable teeth were excluded from the study.