Evaluation of a mixture of zinc oxide–10% sodium fluoride as novel root canal filling material: A pilot study!!

Abstract

Background: To establish mixture of zinc oxide and 10% sodium fluoride as a novel root canal obturating material for primary teeth. Aim: This study aims to evaluate clinical and radiographic success of a mixture of zinc oxide and 10% sodium fluoride as root canal obturating material. Settings and Design: This pilot study was conducted among 30 primary molars indicated for pulpectomy. Methods: Thirty grossly decayed primary molars of children aged 4–9 years were selected with signs or symptoms of irreversibly inflamed or degenerative pulp tissue. Single sitting pulpectomy was carried out in all the teeth with a mixture of zinc oxide powder with 10% sodium fluoride, and they were subsequently restored with preformed crown. Teeth were assessed clinically and radiographically at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month intervals. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS Software Version 20.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Chicago, IL, USA) and statistical significance was determined by Chi-square test; level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Overall clinical and radiographic success rate of combination of zinc oxide and sodium fluoride was 92.9% and 85.7%, respectively, at the end of 12 months. Furthermore, resorption rate of material matched resorption of tooth root. Excess filling material was also observed to resorb at the end of 3 months. Conclusion: These results suggest that combination of zinc oxide and sodium fluoride can be considered as suitable alternative root canal obturating materials for primary teeth with low cost to achieve acceptable therapeutic results.

Keywords

• obturating material
• primary molars
• pulpectomy
• sodium fluoride
• zinc oxide