Single- versus two-visit pulpectomy treatment in primary teeth with apical periodontitis: A double-blind, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Reduction of the bacterial populations to levels compatible with periradicular tissue healing is the primary microbiological goal of the endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis. The number of visits required to treat teeth with apical periodontitis represents one of the most debatable issues in endodontics.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcome of single- versus two-visit pulpectomy treatment in primary teeth with apical periodontitis at the end of 6-month healing period.


METHODS
A parallel group, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was carried out in 64 children aged 4-8 years. Nonvital primary teeth with apical periodontitis with enough coronal structure were selected. Sixty-four children were assigned randomly into two groups (32 children each) by block randomization, and allocation concealment was done with closed envelop method.


METHODS
Group I underwent single-visit pulpectomy followed by obturation with zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE). Group II underwent conventional two-visit pulpectomy with intracanal calcium hydroxide, followed by obturation with ZOE. Postoperative clinical and radiographic evaluation was carried out at 1, 3, and 6 months after the end of the treatment.


METHODS
The data were analyzed by Wilcoxon's signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Friedman test.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in clinical and radiographic outcomes in both the groups at the end of 6-month healing period.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-visit pulpectomy can be considered as a viable option for the treatment of primary teeth with apical periodontitis.
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Maratha Mandal's Nathajirao G. Halgekar Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
Sneha Bharatkumar
SB
Bharuka
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Maratha Mandal's Nathajirao G. Halgekar Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
Praveenkumar S
PS
Mandroli
D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000627:therapeutic use
D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide