Overview
This randomized, double-blinded, parallel-controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP) and Simvastatin in Lesion Sterilization and Tissue Repair (LSTR) of primary molars with pulp necrosis.
A total of 60 children (aged 5-8 years) with non-vital primary molars will be recruited from the Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dow International Dental College, Karachi. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
Group 1 (Control): LSTR using Triple Antibiotic Paste (Ciprofloxacin + Metronidazole + Cefixime).
Group 2 (Intervention): LSTR using Simvastatin paste.
Both materials will be placed after non-instrumentation cleaning and sealed with glass ionomer cement, followed by stainless steel crown placement. Patients will be evaluated clinically and radiographically at 1, 2, and 3 months post-treatment.
Primary outcomes include clinical success (absence of pain, swelling, or sinus tract) and radiographic success (reduction or absence of periapical radiolucency). Data will be analyzed using SPSS v26, with chi-square and t-tests applied as appropriate; p \< 0.05 will be considered significant.
This study seeks to determine whether Simvastatin, owing to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties, can serve as a viable alternative to antibiotic-based LSTR in managing necrotic primary teeth.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Young, healthy patient, ranging in age from 5-8 years.
- Has parents/ guardians who give consent to allow their minor to participate in the study and willing to monitor their progress.
- Having maxillary and mandibular primary molars with:
- Spontaneous pain or tenderness to percussion.
- Deep cavity extending to the pulp chamber.
- Chronic Abscess or draining sinus.
- Restorable.
- To be kept for less than a year.
- Irregular mobility that is not related to exfoliation.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Uncooperative patients.
- Children with a history of allergic reaction with antibiotics.
- Teeth with physiological root resorption but root length is more than two thirds, root canal obliteration, severe internal resorption, internal calcifications, or piercing into the bifurcation.