Success rate of using metronidazole paste in pulpal treatment of infected deciduous molars: 6-30 months follow up

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long term success of using a ready to use metronidazole paste in the pulpal treatment of non-vital deciduous teeth. The assessment was performed by clinical and radiographic records obtained from follow-ups at 6-30 months. Materials and Methods: Data of 166 children, who had pulpal treatment on their deciduous teeth between April 2013 through June 2016 by a single pediatric dentist, were reviewed for the present study. A pre-treatment history of fistula or swelling, tenderness to percussion, presence of abscess, excessive tooth mobility, radiolucency in the bifurcation and/or periradicular and/or periapical area cases were eligible for inclusion. Finally a total of 42 children with 47 deciduous molars treated with metronidazole paste participated in the study. To determine the success at 6-30 months after treatment, the clinical/radiographic data were evaluated by the principal investigator and a co-investigator. Categorical data association was tested with Chi square test with significance levels at p<0> Result: Success rate of non-vital deciduous teeth was determined as 83% at 6- 30 months after treatment and it was neither associated with gender (p=0.445), first/ second molar (p=0.692) nor maxillary/mandibular molar (p=0.853). Conclusion: Keeping a deciduous tooth in the arch is important to improve oral health of children. Metronidazole paste can be suggested to use for the local treatment of pulpal infections following a dental pulp necrosis and their complications in deciduous teeth, instead of performing extractions for them.