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International Endodontic Journal Oct 2023The diagnosis of the status of the inflamed pulp is essential in clinical diagnosis and treatment provision. There are a limited number of well-designed and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of the status of the inflamed pulp is essential in clinical diagnosis and treatment provision. There are a limited number of well-designed and well-executed clinical trials on the diagnosis of the true status of the pulp.
OBJECTIVES
Three PICO questions were formulated and agreed a priori by the European Society of Endodontology to evaluate the clinical tests for sensibility testing, determination of biomarkers and pulp bleeding with regard to their suitability to correctly diagnose the condition of the pulp tissue for the development of S3-Level guidelines.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to 21 January 2022. Additionally, a hand search was performed, and the contents of the major subject journals were also examined. Eligibility criteria followed the proposed PICO questions. Two independent reviewers were involved in study selection, data extraction and appraising the included studies; disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. The risk of bias was assessed by the QUADAS-2 tool for diagnostic accuracy studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for noncomparative, nonrandomized studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment scale adapted for cross-sectional studies.
RESULTS
In total, 28 studies out of 29 publications were considered eligible and were included in the review. Twelve studies were identified to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the pulp vitality. Ten studies fulfilled the criteria to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the pulpal conditions, while 6 studies investigating the expression of biomarkers were eligible. Three studies addressing the prognostic factors and therapeutic interventions relating to pulpal status were included.
DISCUSSION
The core problem in pulp diagnostics is that a reliable reference standard is lacking under clinical conditions. Based on limited evidence, the most promising current approach seems to define a combination of different clinical tests and symptoms, probably in future including molecular diagnosis ("diagnostic package") will be required to ascertain the best possible strategy to clinically diagnose true pulpal conditions.
CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of diagnosing pulpitis is low due to limited scientific evidence regarding the accuracy and reproducibility of diagnostic tests. There is a lack of evidence to determine the true status of the pulp or to identify prognostic indicators allowing for a reliable pre-operative estimation of the outcome of vital pulp treatment.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO database (CRD42021265366).
Topics: Humans; Pulpitis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Dental Pulp; Dental Pulp Diseases; Biomarkers
PubMed: 35536159
DOI: 10.1111/iej.13762 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the success rates of pulpotomy treatment for irreversible pulpitis in primary teeth. (Review)
Review
AIM
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the success rates of pulpotomy treatment for irreversible pulpitis in primary teeth.
METHODS
This study was registered and conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. Relevant studies published between January 1980 and April 2023 were identified across eight online databases and two paediatric dentistry textbooks. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by multiple investigators independently. Data analysis involved single-arm and two-arm meta-analyses, leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and assessment of publication bias. The risks of bias were evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's assessment tools. The levels of evidence were determined using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) tool.
RESULTS
Five primary studies were included. The weighted mean overall success rates at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups were 97.2% and 94.4%, respectively. Two-arm meta-analysis revealed no significant difference ( > 0.05) between the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and non-MTA bioceramic-based materials as pulpotomy medicaments. The sample size of each study did not affect the degree of data heterogeneity. Egger's test revealed no significant publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS
Pulpotomy may be regarded as an alternative modality for treating primary teeth with irreversible pulpitis. Nevertheless, future well-designed trials and extended follow-up periods are warranted.
PubMed: 38790569
DOI: 10.3390/children11050574 -
Journal of Education and Health... 2023Medicinal plants and herbal drugs are being used increasingly as part of primary health care in most parts of the world. As important adjunctive and alternative... (Review)
Review
Medicinal plants and herbal drugs are being used increasingly as part of primary health care in most parts of the world. As important adjunctive and alternative treatments for oral health care, herbal products' use may continue to increase and become more widespread. The objective of this study is to present a comprehensive systematic review of the current published literature on the effectiveness of medicinal plants and herbal products employed to improve oral health in adolescents with a health promotion approach. The systematic review was conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The keywords "herbal medicine," "herbal extract," "herbal supplements," "plant extract," "natural drug," "pulpitis," "dental caries," "oral viral diseases," and "abscess" were used in combination with the Boolean operators OR and AND. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The search yielded 49 original research studies. A total of 22 studies had low or unclear risk bias. The geographical distribution of included studies was primarily concentrated on western countries. Overall, studies reported herbal product users' age, ranging from young adults aged 18 years to elderly people aged 75 years or older. Most studies reported multiple compounds, including herbal drugs and herbal extracts. Chamomile and Aloe vera were the most frequently reported herbal compounds. The most commonly described herbal products to treat oral diseases were gels, mouth rinses, and pastes. The studies included a range of people with oral diseases, including periodontal and gingival diseases, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral lichen planus, and oral candidiasis. Herbal product interventions were found to be effective and safe alternatives for oral health care. One of the most important goals of the World Health Organization (until 2015) is the oral health index, so it is important that dental services be followed up more seriously. Considering the problems in reaching this goal of the World Health Organization in our country, herbal products have the ability to improve clinical oral health outcomes in adolescents. Limited adverse side effects indicate the overall safety of these treatments for a wide range of oral diseases. Therefore, the use of medicinal plants as well as alternative medicine is one of the useful methods in achieving this important goal of public health.
PubMed: 38023092
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1297_22 -
International Endodontic Journal Oct 2023Inflammatory biomarkers are potentially useful targets for pulpal diagnostic tests that can identify pulp status and predict vital pulp treatment (VPT) outcome, however,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory biomarkers are potentially useful targets for pulpal diagnostic tests that can identify pulp status and predict vital pulp treatment (VPT) outcome, however, their accuracy is unknown.
OBJECTIVES
(1) Calculate sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of previously investigated pulpitic biomarkers; (2) Determine if biomarker levels discriminate between clinical diagnoses of pulpitis based on the presence or absence of spontaneous pain (3) Evaluate if biomarker level can predict VPT outcome.
METHODS
Searches: PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid SP, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), ClinicalTrials.gov, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus in May 2023.
INCLUSION
prospective and retrospective observational studies and randomized trials. Participants were humans with vital permanent teeth and a well-defined pulpal diagnosis.
EXCLUSION
deciduous teeth, in vitro and animal studies. Risk of bias was assessed with modified-Downs and Black quality assessment checklist. Meta-analysis was performed using bivariate random effect model in Meta-DiSc 2.0 and RevMan and the quality of the evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.
RESULTS
Fifty-six studies were selected, reporting >70 individual biomolecules investigating pulpal health and disease at the gene and protein level. Most studies were of low and fair quality. Among the biomolecules investigated, IL-8 and IL-6 demonstrated a level of diagnostic accuracy with high sensitivity, specificity and DOR to discriminate between healthy pulps and those exhibiting spontaneous pain suggestive of IRP (low-certainty evidence). However, none was shown to have high DOR and the ability to discriminate between pulpitic states (very low certainty evidence). Limited data suggests high levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 correlate with poorer outcomes of full pulpotomy.
DISCUSSION
The inability of identified molecular inflammatory markers to discriminate between dental pulps with spontaneous and non-spontaneous pain should shift the focus to improved study quality or the pursuit of other molecules potentially associated with healing and repair.
CONCLUSIONS
Low-quality evidence suggests IL-8 and IL-6 demonstrated level of diagnostic accuracy to discriminate between healthy pulps and those exhibiting spontaneous pain. There is a need for standardized biomarker diagnostic and prognostic studies focusing on solutions that can accurately determine the degree of pulp inflammation.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42021259305.
Topics: Humans; Pulpitis; Interleukin-6; Prospective Studies; Interleukin-8; Retrospective Studies; Biomarkers; Pain
PubMed: 37392154
DOI: 10.1111/iej.13950 -
International Endodontic Journal Oct 2023Pulpitis characterized by spontaneous pain can result in debilitating pain. Dogma has existed to offer only have two treatment options, namely root canal treatment (RCT)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pulpitis characterized by spontaneous pain can result in debilitating pain. Dogma has existed to offer only have two treatment options, namely root canal treatment (RCT) or extraction, although pulpotomy has always remained a potential treatment modality.
OBJECTIVE
This review aimed to answer the following research question: 'Does pulpotomy (partial or full) (I) result in better patient and clinical reported outcomes (O), compared with RCT (C) in permanent teeth with pulpitis characterized by spontaneous pain (P) evaluated at various time intervals?' (T).
METHODS
Two authors independently performed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The literature search was conducted in the following electronic databases: Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. English language clinical trials comparing the patient and clinical reported outcomes between RCT and pulpotomy were included. The meta-analysis was performed on a fixed-effect model and the quality of evidence assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.
RESULTS
Two randomized clinical trials were included. Amongst two trials, one has published four reports at different time points involving the same cohorts. The meta-analysis revealed no difference in postoperative pain (Day 7) between RCT and pulpotomy (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.63-1.55, I = 0%) and quality of evidence was graded as 'High'. Clinical success was high at year 1, 98% for both interventions, however, decreased over time to 78.1% (pulpotomy) and 75.3% (RCT) at 5 years.
DISCUSSION
Pulpotomy is a definitive treatment modality that is as effective as RCT. This could have a significant impact on treatment of such patients affording the advantages of retaining a vital pulp and preventing the need for RCT.
CONCLUSION
This review could only include two trials, hence there is insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions. The clinical data accumulated so far suggests no difference in pain between RCT and pulpotomy at Day 7 postoperatively and a single randomized control trial suggests that the clinical success rate for both treatment modalities is similar long term. There is a need for more well-designed trials by different research groups to develop a stronger evidence base in this area.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO database (CRD42021259744).
Topics: Humans; Pulpotomy; Pulpitis; Dental Pulp Cavity; Root Canal Therapy; Pain, Postoperative; Treatment Outcome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36209498
DOI: 10.1111/iej.13844 -
Journal of International Society of... 2023The levels of neuropeptides neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP) in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) were... (Review)
Review
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The levels of neuropeptides neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP) in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) were evaluated using a comprehensive review and meta-analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The data bases of Pubmed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Science Direct, Proquest and Cochrane library databases were thoroughly searched. The quality of the study was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Criteria. Twenty four studies were listed following a thorough search of full texts, abstracts, and removal of duplicates. Only two of these papers were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Since the results obtained were in mean and standard deviation, the levels of neuropeptides in the test and control groups were examined using the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
When compared with healthy teeth, NKA was not significantly elevated in GCF of individuals with SIP ( = 0.06; odd ratio = 1.34 [-0.05 to 2.74] at 95% confidence interval [CI]). Additionally, there was no evidence of an association between SP and SIP ( = 0.08; odds ratio = 0.84 [-0.10 to 1.77] at 95% CI).
CONCLUSION
This systematic research demonstrated that in individuals with SIP, NKA, and SP are not substantially linked. However, the lack of study in this area makes it evident that additional research is needed, particularly in relation to pulpal disorders and NKA.
PubMed: 37876583
DOI: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_55_23 -
Journal of Endodontics Oct 2023Endodontic infections are polymicrobial; however, investigating the role of bacterial species is critical because they may influence pathogenesis, the development of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Endodontic infections are polymicrobial; however, investigating the role of bacterial species is critical because they may influence pathogenesis, the development of symptoms, or the persistence of disease. This systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence of Fusobacterium species and its association with different types of endodontic infections.
METHODS
MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were used as electronic databases to retrieve relevant studies. The studies were evaluated for eligibility criteria, and the certainty in evidence and risk of bias were evaluated using critical appraisal tools for prevalence studies from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Forty studies were selected for meta-analysis and statistically analyzed for the relationship between the prevalence of Fusobacterium species and both the presence of symptoms and the type of infections (primary vs secondary/persistent) using meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
The prevalence of Fusobacterium spp. in endodontic infections ranged from 3%-100% (mean = 42.51%) in the 40 included studies. Calculated confidence intervals indicated that the presence of Fusobacterium spp. was not statistically associated with the presence of symptoms or with the type of infections (the set of 2 predictors was not significant; P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of Fusobacterium infection, which was identified with molecular methods, was not significant for overall regression using both predictors (ie, symptoms [symptomatic vs asymptomatic] and types of infections [primary vs secondary/persistent]).
PubMed: 37611654
DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.08.009 -
Australian Endodontic Journal : the... Sep 2023Pulpotomy has been used in primary teeth and immature permanent teeth. However, with the advent of new bioactive material, the procedure is shifting towards permanent... (Review)
Review
Pulpotomy has been used in primary teeth and immature permanent teeth. However, with the advent of new bioactive material, the procedure is shifting towards permanent teeth with mature apices of roots. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the success of pulpotomy on mature permanent teeth with acute irreversible pulpitis and to compare it with root canal treatment or between the effectiveness of the bioactive material used. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Cochrane Library: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. After using the keywords predefined, the electronic search yielded a total of 86 articles. After undergoing a thorough screening and eligibility process, only four articles were finally selected. Unexpectedly, pulpotomy demonstrated a better tendency for success in such cases over the years. This shows that pulpotomy is not inferior to root canal treatment for permanent treatment of irreversible pulpitis. In addition, the results obtained showed that pulpotomy is rapid, biologically reliable and more cost-effective in all situations compared to root canal therapy. Complete pulpotomy appears to have a high success rate as a permanent treatment of irreversible pulpitis and could be considered as an alternative to root canal therapy. Pulpotomy is not inferior to root canal treatment for a permanent treatment of irreversible pulpitis. In addition, the results obtained have shown that complete pulpotomy is faster and more profitable in all situations compared to root canal treatment. Furthermore, with the advent of new so-called bioactive materials, the use of this therapeutic is increasingly considered. This is why a review based on studies of reliable articles is above all necessary to be able to generalise the indication of this therapy.
Topics: Humans; Pulpotomy; Pulpitis; Calcium Compounds; Silicates; Dentition, Permanent; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 36149016
DOI: 10.1111/aej.12694 -
Australian Endodontic Journal : the... Apr 2024The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to conduct a comparative evaluation of partial and full pulpotomy techniques in cariously exposed teeth with... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to conduct a comparative evaluation of partial and full pulpotomy techniques in cariously exposed teeth with symptoms indicative of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched. Studies evaluating and/or comparing clinical and/or radiographic success of partial and full pulpotomy in teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis with a minimum of 12 months follow-up were included. The risk of bias (ROB) tool was used for the assessment of ROB. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the healing outcome of partial and full pulpotomy. Three studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, there was a low risk of bias in each of the five domains. Full pulpotomy had a higher success rate than partial pulpotomy, according to meta-analysis, but the difference was not statistically significant.
PubMed: 38566370
DOI: 10.1111/aej.12844 -
Oral Diseases Oct 2023To assess the efficacy and adverse events linked to the utilization of fentanyl for perioperative pain management in dentistry. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and adverse events linked to the utilization of fentanyl for perioperative pain management in dentistry.
METHODS
This systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and incorporated various databases.
RESULTS
Eleven RCTs studying 674 patients were analyzed. Perioperative pain was predominantly evaluated in patients undergoing surgery for impacted molars, although some studies also included patients with other conditions such as oral submucous fibrosis, maxillary cancer, bony temporomandibular joint ankylosis, irreversible pulpitis, among others. Combined with dexmedetomidine, fentanyl produced enhanced analgesic effects. It demonstrated comparable efficacy when compared to nefopam and nalbuphine. Both intranasal and intravenous administration routes proved equally effective. In four RCTs, the transdermal fentanyl patch outperformed the control group, except in the clinical trial where it was compared to ropivacaine. The main adverse events associated with the use of fentanyl included nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, delirium, and respiratory depression; however, they were like those reported in the comparison groups.
CONCLUSIONS
While fentanyl demonstrated satisfactory perioperative analgesic efficacy, there were other alternatives that displayed better or comparable outcomes. Due to the risks and potential for misuse of fentanyl, these alternatives must be considered although adverse events were also reported.
PubMed: 37837245
DOI: 10.1111/odi.14773