COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS OF TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC PASTE(3MIX) AND VITAPEX FOR ROOT CANAL TREATMENT OF PULPALLY INVOLVED PRIMARY MOLARS

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 3MIX and Vitapex (calcium hydroxide and iodoform paste) for root canal treatment of pulpally involved primary molars. This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Outpatient Department of Operative Dentistry at de,Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore. A total of 100 patients with inter – radicular and periapical radiolucency on periapical radiograph of primary molars were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups randomly, group A (3MIX) and group B (Vitapex). For group A (n=50) 3MIX was prepared, pulp was removed and 3MIX was placed on orifice of canals. In Group B (n=50), root canal length was determined by radiograph, pulp removed and Vitapex was filled directly in canals with pre mixed syringe. Zinc oxide eugenol was used to fill pulp chambers. In both groups tooth was restored with glass ionomer cement. Both groups were evaluated radiographically after 6 months. The overall effectiveness in terms of absence of radiolucency in Group A was 90% and in Group B was 70%. Absence of periapical radiolucency was significantly higher in Group A than Group B (P value 0.02). Based on the result of this study, it was concluded that 3 MIX is significantly more effective in the treatment of pulpally involved primary molars as compared to Vitapex. Key Word: Lesion sterilization and tissue repair therapy( LSTR), root canal treatment, Vitapex, triple antibiotic paste( 3MIX). 1 Dr Sadaf Qadeer, BDS, FCPS (Operative Dentistry), Assistant Professor, de,Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore. For Correspondence: House-351, K Block, Behind Faizan-e-Madina Masjid, Johar Town, Lahore Email: sadaf.qadeer@yahoo.com Cell: 0334-4335681 2 Dr Bader Munir, BDS, MCPS, FCPS (Operative Dentistry), Associate Professor de,Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore 3 Dr Saira Yousuf Dar, BDS, FCPS (Operative Dentistry), Assistant Professor, de,Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore Correspondence: Dr Sadaf Qadeer, Assistant Professor, de,Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore Email: sadaf.qadeer@yahoo.com Cell: 0334-433568 Received for Publication: October 19, 2016 Revised: December 2, 2016 Approved: December 3, 2016 INTRODUCTION The primary goal of endodontic treatment in primary teeth where pulp is affected by caries, trauma or other causes, is to eliminate infection and to retain the tooth in functional state until their normal exfoliation time without endangering the permanent tooth or the general health of the child.1,2 The maintenance of the primary dentition is vital for proper development, maturation and growth of facio skeleton of the child.2 Original article Premature loss of primary tooth may result in ectopic eruption sequence, drifting of permanent teeth, space loss for permanent teeth, development of habits such as tongue thrusting, aberration in speech and impairment of function.2,3,4,5 An intact primary tooth is a superior space maintainer than an appliance. To accomplish this many treatment procedures have been proposed such as direct pulp capping, indirect pulp capping, partial pulpotomy, pulpotomy and pulpectomy.3,4,5 The complex morphology of the root canal system in primary teeth makes it difficult to achieve proper chemo mechanical preparation.1,2,3 Various root canal filling materials used for primary teeth are; zinc oxide eugenol, iodoform containing pastes such as Kri paste (iodoform, camphor, menthol and parachlorophenol), Maisto paste (iodoform, camphor, menthol, parachlorophenol, zinc oxide, lanolin and thymol), Guedes-Pinto paste (iodoform, camphorated parachlorophenol), Rifocort (prednisolone, iodoform, zinc oxide, calcium hydroxide, bariun sulphate, eu-