Clinical & Radiographic Efficacy Using LLLT & CRYO on M.P.M Pulpotomy

Recently, there is a new direction of vital pulp therapy (VPT) that aims to preserve the tooth vitality and the root dentin and improves the long term prognosis of the tooth function. VPT is a personalized method of treating irreversible pulpitis which conforms to the trend of minimally invasive endodontics. There are many modalities of VPT like direct pulp capping, indirect pulp capping, pulpotomy and revascularization. Pulpotomy is defined as clinical procedure of removal of the coronal pulp tissue leaving the vital radicular pulp tissue as in cases of pulp exposure due to caries, trauma or iatrogenic error. Pulpotomy may be complete or partial according to the degree of extension of pulpal inflammation.

VPT depends on the theory that the pulp has the capacity of self-healing when it is free from infection. In addition, recent innovations of dental materials and techniques have been administrated to the field of endodontics have ensured higher success rate of VPT. Pulpotomy procedure has been introduced as an alternative to traditional root canal treatment in case of mature permanent teeth exhibiting symptoms of irreversible pulpitis when the radicular pulp is still vital.

There are many materials and techniques used for pulpotomy where the selection of the material used for this technique greatly influences its success rate. An ideal material for VPT must be biocompatible, antibacterial, providing biological and bacterial tight seal and promoting the regeneration of dentine-pulp complex. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are considered the most commonly used materials for pulpotomy. However, Ca(OH)2 has many drawbacks as degradation over time, formation of tunnel defects beneath dentinal bridges and poor sealing ability, so it has lost its popularity as a first choice agent for pulpotomy. On the other hand, MTA has better sealing ability, biocompatibility and strength. However, it has some drawbacks like difficult handling, long setting time and discoloration of the tooth.

More recent pulpotomy materials have been introduced as putty bioceramic materials including: calcium silicate, monobasic calcium phosphate, zirconium oxide, tantalum oxide, and filler agents. They show better handling due to its premixed putty consistency in addition to its low level of tooth discoloration and rapid setting time compared to MTA.

In addition to the new materials, there are modifications of pulpotomy techniques which has been administrated to enhance its outcome as light amplification of estimated emission of radiation (LASER) and cryotherapy. The application of laser may enhance the outcomes of pulpotomy due to its ability to vaporize water in dental hard tissue so dentinal tubules will be opened and smear layer will be removed which in turn will increase the sealing ability of pulpotomy material.

One of the special forms of laser application is called low level laser therapy (LLLT) which can act as photoactivator on the pulp tissue cells by photostimulation without heat formation to enhance the cell differentiation and dentinogensis stimulation to promote tissue healing. In addition, it shows comparable effect to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NASIDS), so it can be considered as an alternative to pain control through reduction of the exudative phase of inflammatory process, increasing synthesis of endorphins, decreasing bradykinin and altering pain threshold. On the other hand, the main disadvantages of laser include its uncontrolled depth of penetration through the tissue in addition to high cost of the laser device.

Moreover, Cryotherapy is another modified technique for pulpotomy. It is a procedure used to destroy tissue by freezing or re-thawing process through decreasing the temperature of the tissue. It has several physiological responses as decreasing of the local blood flow which can affect the homeostasis, temporary inhibition of the neural receptors in the pulp and decreasing of metabolic activity which in turn may affect the post-operative pain.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can be used for determination of periapical-periodontal status as it provides three dimensional demonstrations of the anatomic features plus accurate dimensional readings of the periapical tissue. The success of pulpotomy can be evaluated through the periapical-periodontal status radiographically which is confirmed clinically by absence of signs and symptoms.

Post-operative pain after pulpotomy is common. It is a noxious feeling after doing the procedure which may start immediately or later. Effective management of the post-operative pain is important in reducing the recovery time and improving patient outcomes