USING A DENTAL OPERATING MICROSCOPE IN THE TREATMENT OF REVERSIBLE PULPITIS IN PRIMARY TEETH

Abstract

Objectives: The author reports on a study of the application of themagnifying method with a digital operating microscope (DOM) incombination with controlled excavation using fluorescent method (Proface)in the treatment of asymptomatic closed pulpitis in primary molars treatedwith the indirect pulp capping technique.Materials and methods: Subject of the study were 40 primary molars (19first and 21 second molars) of children (20 girls and 20 boys) 4-7 years oldwith cavitated carious lesions in the dentin suspected for asymptomaticclosed pulpitis. All cases were excavated with an identical clinical protocol(conventional excavation). The excavation was controlled using thefluorescent method (Proface). An assessment of the residual dentin, with andwithout microscope (DOM), at three levels of magnification, was made ateach stage.Results: The use of DOM shows a: larger diversity in the colors and nuancesof the carious dentin, with lighter shades being predominant. DOM gives anopportunity for a better precision in determining the speed of the cariousprocess, which is in direct relation to the defensive ability of the pulp-dentincomplex.Conclusions: In the biological treatment of asymptomatic closed pulpitis inprimary teeth, the use of DOM magnifying technology gives the opportunityfor a precise and accurate assessment during the course of excavation.