Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this review was to compare the currently available root canal filling materials for primary teeth to zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) to find a suitable alternative. The search question was: which root canal filling materials used in pulpectomy for primary teeth give better clinical and radiographic success rates than ZOE?
Methods
A systematic search was conducted using five databases, namely Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and EBSCOhost using a selection of “MeSH terms”. The “Modified Jadad Scale” was used for the methodology assessment of the included studies.
Results
Out of 480 articles identified in the initial search, 8 articles met all the inclusion criteria. The results showed that, compared to ZOE, ZOE with calcium hydroxide and iodoform had better clinical and radiographic success rates, a resorption rate similar to that of the roots, faster resorption of extruded particles and a maximum decrease in the size of pre-operative inter-radicular radiolucencies.
Conclusion
Numerous materials, proposed and used by clinicians in root canal filling in primary teeth, can be recommended as alternatives to ZOE. However, none of them could be the ideal material in primary teeth. Thus, more high-quality well-designed randomised clinical trials are required to develop more high-performing materials.
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Data availability
All relevant data (Flowchart, tables) are available on request.
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Systematic search was conducted by Miniar Rhaiem. Study selection and data collection were performed by Miniar Rhaiem, Yamina Elelmi and Ahlem Baaziz. Writing—original draft preparation was done by Miniar Rhaiem and Yamina Elelmi. Written —Review and editing were performed by Marwa Chatti and Fethi Maatouk. Hichem Ghedira provided comprehensive judgement and assisted in editing the final version of the manuscript.
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Rhaiem, M., Elelmi, Y., Baaziz, A. et al. Alternative root canal filling materials to zinc oxide eugenol in primary teeth: a systematic review of the literature. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 24, 533–547 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-023-00839-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-023-00839-6