-
Australian Dental Journal Mar 2021Conservative pulp therapy is an alternative treatment option to tooth removal and root canal treatment in the management of deep caries, traumatic pulp exposures and... (Review)
Review
Conservative pulp therapy is an alternative treatment option to tooth removal and root canal treatment in the management of deep caries, traumatic pulp exposures and developmental anomalies. Pulp tissue preservation can extend the long-term survival of teeth through relatively simple restorative procedures. This article aims to update clinicians on the current state of research in materials, techniques and outcomes of vital pulp therapies and provide practical guidelines for their implementation into daily practice.
Topics: Dental Caries; Dental Pulp; Dental Pulp Capping; Humans; Pulpitis; Pulpotomy
PubMed: 33818812
DOI: 10.1111/adj.12841 -
International Endodontic Journal May 2022Therapeutic strategies focussed on the pulp preservation, are important when managing vital teeth with deep caries and an exposed pulp. These vital pulp treatments... (Review)
Review
Therapeutic strategies focussed on the pulp preservation, are important when managing vital teeth with deep caries and an exposed pulp. These vital pulp treatments (VPTs); however, are not new, with indirect and direct pulp capping procedures being described as a therapy for carious teeth for over a century. As a result of unpredictable outcomes, the traditional indications for VPT particularly when the pulp was exposed were limited to the treatment of immature teeth with incomplete root formation. Over the last 20 years, the advent of regenerative endodontics and the promotion of biologically based therapies aimed at reducing intervention have reinvigorated VPT with new waves of basic science and clinical research indicating a role for VPT not only in mature cariously affected teeth, but also in teeth with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. Driven by new materials such as hydraulic calcium silicate cements, a better understanding of pulpal immunity and biology as well and improved tissue handling, VPT has been at the forefront of treatment recommendations made by global Cariology and Endodontic organizations. Care must be exercised, however, as key gaps in scientific knowledge remain alongside severe limitations in educational dissemination amongst dentists. Although research has highlighted that carious injury to the dentine-pulp complex stimulates a wide range of responses and that the interaction between infection, inflammation and repair will eventually impact on the outcome of pulpitis, our ability to accurately and objectively diagnose the true inflammatory state of the pulp remains poor. An overreliance on symptoms leaves clinicians with subjective, crude diagnostic tools by which to inform treatment planning and decision-making, which results in large variations in the treatments offered to patients. Not only is there an urgent need to develop preoperative and intraoperative diagnostic tools, but there is also a paucity of the high-quality comparative evidence required to answer the most important questions and justify treatment options. The aim of this review was to consider the current status of VPT and to discuss the principle problems that are hindering clinical acceptance of these techniques. Potential solutions and opportunities are offered to suggest ways that VPT may become a more consistently prescribed evidenced-based treatment in dental practice.
Topics: Dental Caries; Dental Pulp Capping; Humans; Pulpitis; Pulpotomy; Root Canal Therapy; Silicates
PubMed: 35080024
DOI: 10.1111/iej.13688 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS May 2021Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a vital driver of inflammation when it leaks from damaged mitochondria into the cytosol. mtDNA stress may contribute to cyclic GMP-AMP...
BACKGROUND
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a vital driver of inflammation when it leaks from damaged mitochondria into the cytosol. mtDNA stress may contribute to cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway activation in infectious diseases. Odontoblasts are the first cells challenged by cariogenic bacteria and involved in maintenance of the pulp immune and inflammatory responses to dentine-invading pathogens. In this study, we investigated that mtDNA as an important inflammatory driver participated in defending against bacterial invasion via cGAS-STING pathway in odontoblasts.
METHODS
The normal tissues, caries tissues and pulpitis tissues were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Pulpitis model was built in vitro to evaluated the effect of the cGAS-STING pathway in odontoblast-like cell line (mDPC6T) under inflammation. Western blot and real-time PCR were performed to detect the expression of cGAS-STING pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The mitochondrial function was evaluated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by mitochondria using MitoSOX Red dye staining. Cytosolic DNA was assessed by immunofluorescent staining and real-time PCR in mDPC6T cells after LPS stimulation. Furthermore, mDPC6T cells were treated with ethidium bromide (EtBr) to deplete mtDNA or transfected with isolated mtDNA. The expression of cGAS-STING pathway and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured.
RESULTS
The high expression of cGAS and STING in caries and pulpitis tissues in patients, which was associated with inflammatory progression. The cGAS-STING pathway was activated in inflamed mDPC6T. STING knockdown inhibited the nuclear import of p65 and IRF3 and restricted the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines CXCL10 and IL-6 induced by LPS. LPS caused mitochondrial damage in mDPC6T, which promoted mtDNA leakage into the cytosol. Depletion of mtDNA inhibited the cGAS-STING pathway and nuclear translocation of p65 and IRF3. Moreover, repletion of mtDNA rescued the inflammatory response, which was inhibited by STING knockdown.
CONCLUSION
Our study systematically identified a novel mechanism of LPS-induced odontoblast inflammation, which involved mtDNA leakage from damaged mitochondria into the cytosol stimulating the cGAS-STING pathway and the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and CXCL10 secretion. The mtDNA-cGAS-STING axis could be a potent therapeutic target to prevent severe bacterial inflammation in pulpitis. Video Abstract.
Topics: Cell Line; Cytosol; DNA, Mitochondrial; Dental Caries; Humans; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Membrane Proteins; Mitochondria; Nucleotidyltransferases; Odontoblasts; Pulpitis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34016129
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00738-7 -
International Endodontic Journal Oct 2023The ESE previously published quality guidelines for endodontic treatment in 2006; however, there have been significant changes since not only in clinical endodontics but... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The ESE previously published quality guidelines for endodontic treatment in 2006; however, there have been significant changes since not only in clinical endodontics but also in consensus and guideline development processes. In the development of the inaugural S3-level clinical practice guidelines (CPG), a comprehensive systematic and methodologically robust guideline consultation process was followed in order to produce evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients presenting with pulpal and apical disease.
AIM
To develop an S3-level CPG for the treatment of pulpal and apical disease, focusing on diagnosis and the implementation of the treatment approaches required to manage patients presenting with pulpitis and apical periodontitis (AP) with the ultimate goal of preventing tooth loss.
METHODS
This S3-level CPG was developed by the ESE, with the assistance of independent methodological guidance provided by the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany and utilizing the GRADE process. A robust, rigorous and transparent process included the analysis of relevant comparative research in 14 specifically commissioned systematic reviews, prior to evaluation of the quality and strength of evidence, the formulation of specific evidence and expert-based recommendations in a structured consensus process with leading endodontic experts and a broad base of external stakeholders.
RESULTS
The S3-level CPG for the treatment of pulpal and apical disease describes in a series of clinical recommendations the effectiveness of diagnosing pulpitis and AP, prior to investigating the effectiveness of endodontic treatments in managing those diseases. Therapeutic strategies include the effectiveness of deep caries management in cases with, and without, spontaneous pain and pulp exposure, vital versus nonvital teeth, the effectiveness of root canal instrumentation, irrigation, dressing, root canal filling materials and adjunct intracanal procedures in the management of AP. Prior to treatment planning, the critical importance of history and case evaluation, aseptic techniques, appropriate training and re-evaluations during and after treatment is stressed.
CONCLUSION
The first S3-level CPG in endodontics informs clinical practice, health systems, policymakers, other stakeholders and patients on the available and most effective treatments to manage patients with pulpitis and AP in order to preserve teeth over a patient's lifetime, according to the best comparative evidence currently available.
Topics: Humans; Dental Pulp; Endodontics; Periapical Periodontitis; Pulpitis; Root Canal Therapy
PubMed: 37772327
DOI: 10.1111/iej.13974 -
Journal of Endodontics Dec 2014Clinicians routinely face conditions in which they have to decide whether the dental pulp can be saved or not. This study evaluated how reliable the clinical diagnosis... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
Clinicians routinely face conditions in which they have to decide whether the dental pulp can be saved or not. This study evaluated how reliable the clinical diagnosis of normal pulp/reversible pulpitis (savable pulp) or irreversible pulpitis (nonsavable pulp) is when compared with the histologic diagnosis.
METHODS
The study material consisted of 95 teeth collected consecutively in a general practice over a 5-year period and extracted for reasons not related to this study. Based on clinical criteria, teeth were categorized as having normal pulps, reversible pulpitis, or irreversible pulpitis. The former 2 were grouped together because they represent similar conditions in terms of prognosis. Teeth were processed for histologic and histobacteriologic analyses, and pulps were categorized as healthy, reversibly inflamed, or irreversibly inflamed according to defined criteria. The number of matching clinical/histologic diagnosis was recorded.
RESULTS
The clinical diagnosis of normal pulp/reversible pulpitis matched the histologic diagnosis in 57 of 59 (96.6%) teeth. Correspondence of the clinical and histologic diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis occurred in 27 of 32 (84.4%) cases. Infection advancing to the pulp tissue was a common finding in teeth with irreversible pulpitis but was never observed in normal/reversibly inflamed pulps.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings using defined criteria for clinical and histologic classification of pulp conditions revealed a good agreement, especially for cases with no disease or reversible disease. This means that the classification of pulp conditions as normal pulps, reversible pulpitis, and irreversible pulpitis has high chances of guiding the correct therapy in the large majority of cases. However, there is still a need for refined and improved means for reliable pulp diagnosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacteria; Composite Resins; Dental Amalgam; Dental Caries; Dental Materials; Dental Pulp; Dental Pulp Necrosis; Dental Pulp Test; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Dentin; Dentin, Secondary; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Odontoblasts; Prognosis; Pulpitis; Young Adult
PubMed: 25312886
DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2014.08.010 -
Australian Endodontic Journal : the... Apr 2020The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Consensus Conference Recommended Diagnostic Terminology states that mature permanent teeth clinically diagnosed with... (Review)
Review
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Consensus Conference Recommended Diagnostic Terminology states that mature permanent teeth clinically diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis are treated with pulpectomy and root canal filling because inflamed vital pulp is not capable of healing. Histological studies have demonstrated that clinically diagnosed irreversible pulpitis does not involve the entire pulp. A recent International Endodontic Journal Editorial suggested clinical diagnosis of pulp disease should be reassessed because of the poor correlation between clinical symptoms and pulp sensibility testing and the actual histological status of the pulp. This review identified studies in a PubMed search that provide evidence for vital pulp therapy (VPT) of mature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis is predictable if correctly diagnosed and properly treated. A narrative review was undertaken to outline the correlation between the clinical symptoms/signs and pulp sensibility testing and the histological findings of the pulp. Treatment procedures for permanent teeth are outlined.
Topics: Dental Pulp; Dentition, Permanent; Humans; Pulpitis
PubMed: 31865629
DOI: 10.1111/aej.12392 -
Journal of Endodontics Jul 2017Similar to other tissues, the dental pulp mounts an inflammatory reaction as a way to eliminate pathogens and stimulate repair. Pulp inflammation is prerequisite for... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Similar to other tissues, the dental pulp mounts an inflammatory reaction as a way to eliminate pathogens and stimulate repair. Pulp inflammation is prerequisite for dentin pulp complex repair and regeneration; otherwise, chronic disease or pulp necrosis occurs. Evaluation of pulp inflammation severity is necessary to predict the clinical success of maintaining pulp vitality. Clinical limitations to evaluating in situ inflammatory status are well-described. A molecular approach that aids clinical distinction between reversible and irreversible pulpitis could improve the success rate of vital pulp therapy. The aim of this article is to review inflammatory mediator expression in the context of clinical diagnosis.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases for articles published between 1970 and December 2016. Only published studies of inflammatory mediator expression related to clinical diagnosis were eligible for inclusion and analysis.
RESULTS
Thirty-two articles were analyzed. Two molecular approaches were described by study methods, protein expression analysis and gene expression analysis. Our review indicates that interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase 9, tumor necrosis factor-α, and receptor for advanced glycation end products expression increase at both the gene and protein levels during inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinical irreversible pulpitis is related to specific levels of inflammatory mediator expression. The difference in expression between reversible and irreversible disease is both quantitative and qualitative. On the basis of our analysis, in situ quantification of inflammatory mediators may aid in the clinical distinction between reversible and irreversible pulpitis.
Topics: Biomarkers; Dental Pulp; Humans; Pulpitis
PubMed: 28527838
DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2017.02.009 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2021: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in permanent mature teeth is a common indication for nonsurgical root canal treatment (NSRCT), but contemporary studies have reported... (Review)
Review
: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in permanent mature teeth is a common indication for nonsurgical root canal treatment (NSRCT), but contemporary studies have reported on vital pulp therapy (VPT) applied in such teeth as a less invasive treatment. This systematic review assessed the outcomes of VPT, including partial and full pulpotomy performed with hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) in permanent mature posterior teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. : The PRISMA guidelines were followed. The search strategy included PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and grey literature electronic databases. The quality assessment of the identified studies followed the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias, ROBINS-I and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale tools. : The search of primary databases identified 142 articles, of which 9 randomized controlled trials and 3 prospective cohort studies were selected for review. The risk-of-bias was assessed as 'high' or 'serious', 'fair', and 'low' for three, seven and two articles, respectively. One to five years after VPT using HCSCs, the success rates mostly ranged from 78 to 90%. Based on two articles, the outcomes of the VPT and NSRCT were comparable at one and five years. Despite the necessity for the intra-operative pulp assessment in VPT procedures, the majority of the studies did not fully report on this step or on the time needed to achieve hemostasis. Small sample sizes, of under 23 teeth, were reported in three studies. : The reviewed 12 articles reported favorable outcomes of the VPT performed with HCSCs in permanent mature posterior teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, with radiographic success in the range of 81 to 90%. Two articles suggested comparable outcomes of the VPT and root canal treatment. Universal case selection and outcome criteria needs to be established for VPT when considered as an alternative to NSRCT. This evidence supports the need for further research comparing longer-term outcomes of both of the treatment modalities.
Topics: Dentition, Permanent; Humans; Prospective Studies; Pulpitis; Pulpotomy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34205149
DOI: 10.3390/medicina57060573 -
British Dental Journal Dec 2022Emerging clinical and histologic evidence is challenging the long-established dogma that root canal treatment (RCTx) is the only therapeutic option for preservation of... (Review)
Review
Emerging clinical and histologic evidence is challenging the long-established dogma that root canal treatment (RCTx) is the only therapeutic option for preservation of vital mature permanent teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis or carious pulp exposure. Vital pulp therapy procedures like pulpotomy are not only technically simpler and more economical, but also afford patients a host of other benefits over conventional RCTx. This narrative review provides an update on the contemporary understanding of pulp pathophysiology and defence mechanisms, the proposed new diagnostic terminologies for pulpal inflammation, and how the biological characteristics of hydrophilic calcium silicate cements have enabled consistent successful outcomes for pulpotomy-treated mature teeth. The paper also details the evidence base from clinical trials and systematic reviews conducted over the past decade and outlines the practical treatment considerations for pulpotomy in mature permanent teeth.
Topics: Humans; Pulpotomy; Calcium Compounds; Silicates; Dentition, Permanent; Pulpitis; Root Canal Therapy; Dental Pulp; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36526777
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-022-5316-1 -
International Endodontic Journal Sep 2017
Topics: Endodontics; Humans; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Pulpitis; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 28776717
DOI: 10.1111/iej.12793