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 (p > 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.

This systematic review aimed to identify the intercanine and intermolar width changes following palatal expansion in bilateral posterior crossbite (PXB) in mixed dentition. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021275833). All randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-RCT articles between 1980 and August 2022 on the palatal expansion of bilateral PXB in mixed dentition were searched in seven online databases (Google Scholar, Ovid, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOHost, Cochrane Library and PubMed). The risk of bias (RoB) of the articles included was analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. Three non-RCT studies were included and showed a low risk of bias. Meta-analysis on the changes in intercanine and intermolar widths was not performed due to study design heterogeneity. One study reported an over-correction of the bilateral PXB. There is a need for more RCT studies with standardized landmark measurements, outcome assessment methods and retention periods to investigate the interdental changes following palatal expansion.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of enzyme based oral spray (Oral7®) as adjunctto routine oral hygiene practice among children aged 4-7 years.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Fifty-two young children with dental caries were randomly assigned to receive either the Oral7® mouth spray (or a placebo in addition to standard oral hygiene care. Plaque and gingivitis scores, as well as salivary bacterial counts, were measured at baseline and after a 4-week follow-up. Plaque levels were assessed using the Silness & Loe (1964) index, and gingivitis was evaluated using the Loe & Silness (1963) index. For salivary bacterial analysis, un-stimulated saliva samples were collected, serially diluted, and cultured on Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar to isolate Streptococcus species, followed by bacterial colony counting.Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in mean plaque and gingivitis scores with standard deviation from 0.758±0.355 to 0.304±0.318 and from 0.319±0.294 to 0.065±0.185 with p=0.001 at baseline and follow-up respectively. In the control group, the mean plaque scores showed significant reduction from 0.758±0.379 to 0.631±0.381with (p=0.001), while there is no significant change for the mean gingivitis scores from baseline [0.469±0.345] and after 4-weeks [0.431±0.369] with p=0.153. The mean salivary bacterial values in the intervention group significantly decreased (p=0.026), while no significant change was observed in the control group (p=0.284).Conclusion: Maintaining optimal oral hygiene in young children is challenging due to their developing dexterity and need for consistent parental supervision. Mechanical plaque removal through brushing, while effective, is often insufficient, leading to the exploration of chemical plaque control methods like mouthwashes and sprays. The Oral7® mouth spray, provides adjunctive effect to standard oral hygiene practices among young children suggesting it to be a valuable addition to paediatric oral care, potentially preventing dental caries and gingiviti

Nano-hydroxyapatite and silica incorporation into glass ionomer cements (GICs) have been proposed to enhance their physical and biological properties. In paediatric dentistry, the Hall technique relies heavily on the sealing ability of luting cements used for stainless steel crown (SSC) placement. This study aimed to compare the microleakage of nano-hydroxyapatite-silica incorporated glass ionomer cement (nano-HA-silica GIC) with conventional GIC and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) when used as luting agents for SSCs placed using the Hall technique. Thirty extracted human primary molars were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 10). Stainless steel crowns were cemented using conventional GIC, nano-HA-silica GIC, or RMGIC following the Hall technique protocol. Specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue dye, sectioned longitudinally, and evaluated under a digital microscope to assess dye penetration. Microleakage values were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Games-Howell post hoc test. Statistically significant differences in microleakage were observed among the three groups (p < 0.001). RMGIC demonstrated significantly lower microleakage compared with both conventional GIC (mean difference = 1.568) and nano-HA-silica GIC (mean difference = 2.290). No statistically significant difference was observed between conventional GIC and nano-HA-silica GIC (mean difference = 0.722). Nano-hydroxyapatite-silica incorporated GIC exhibited comparable sealing ability to conventional GIC; however, RMGIC demonstrated superior resistance to microleakage when used as a luting cement for SSCs placed using the Hall technique. Further studies are required to evaluate the long-term clinical performance of nano-HA-silica modified GIC.