Zinc Oxide Ozonated Olive Oil in LSTR

Preservation of primary dentition is crucial for the development of arch form, esthetics, function, mastication, and normal eruption of permanent teeth. Premature loss, especially of the primary second molar, can cause several problems. The first permanent molars typically erupt mesially as a result, leading to some problems including the ectopic eruption of the second premolar, the loss of space for the succeeding permanent teeth and functional impairment 1.

Dental caries is the most prevalent non-communicable disease in children with significant aesthetic, functional, and quality of life deterioration2. Caries lesions can jeopardize the teeth' vitality, as their progression cause infection, pain, and even early tooth loss 2,3. Thus, timely intervention is key to avoid unfavorable repercussions for the child. Depending on the depth of caries (which may have pulp involvement), two approaches may be considered in the primary dentition: vital pulp therapy (VPT) or non-vital therapy (NPT)2,4.

When the pulp can be recovered, VPT may be an option and three options are available: indirect pulp treatment (IPT), direct pulp cap (DPC), and pulpotomy 2-6.

When the caries lesion progresses to the point where the pulp necrotizes, then an NPT is performed, such as a pulpectomy 4. It is a nonvital treatment (NVT), a root canal treatment with irreversibly inflamed or necrotic pulp resulting from caries or trauma 2,4,6,7. Pulpectomy has been the gold-standard treatment for primary teeth with pulp necrosis or irreversible pulp inflammation and is based on the debridement of the root canals with manual or rotary instruments together with the use of antimicrobial irrigation solutions to decontaminate the root canal system for posterior filling with resorbable materials 8 However, the inherent characteristics of the root canal system in primary teeth make this procedure an endodontic challenge, especially in molars 9,10.

In the 1990s, an innovative procedure called lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR) was proposed as an alternative biologic approach that was thought to facilitate the disinfection of dentinal carious lesions, pulp, and periapical lesions in primary teeth 11-13 with the advantages of being simpler and faster 14,15.

The LSTR is a minimally invasive endodontic therapy method that involves the introduction of an antibiotic combination in a propylene glycol vehicle to disinfect root canal systems and periapical lesions 16. It is also known as no instrumental endodontic treatment (NIET) 17. The rationale of LSTR is that combination of three antibiotics (3Mix) can sterilize necrotic pulps and infected root dentine of primary teeth. In primary dentition, LSTR has shown a high rate of clinical success as a substitute for pulpectomy 14,18.

A single antibiotic is insufficient to eradicate pathogenic flora; hence a combination of drugs popularly known as ''triple antibiotic paste'' (TAP) is recommended. This mix is potently active against a wide range of bacteria. It aids in disinfecting and sterilizing the root canal system. It also allows the entry and growth of new tissue in the radicular area in regenerative therapy in the case of young, immature teeth. TAP can also assist in the development of a discipline that will allow for the successful application of other desired and necessary therapies 19,20.

Most commonly, a combination of three broad-spectrum antibiotics, namely, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and minocycline are used for root canal disinfection. Metronidazole acts against obligate anaerobes, which are the most commonly isolated species from infected root canals. Minocycline is a bacteriostatic long-acting antibiotic, potent against a wide range of microorganisms. Ciprofloxacin is added to eradicate Gram-negative species21,22.

The use of cefaclor (a second-generation cephalosporin) instead of minocycline and ornidazole instead of metronidazole in 3Mix improves clinical outcomes 23,24.

Cruz et al. 25 showed that the incorporation of propylene glycol and macrogol (MP) as a carrier vehicle dramatically raised the penetration of these drugs.

Herbal and natural extracts employed in dentistry as irrigants and intracanal medicaments have gained popularity in recent decades because of their antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, and anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties 26.

New generations of disinfecting agents have been developed among them is ozone, which is a powerful oxidizing agent and can be used to eliminate bacteria in root canals 27.

Ozone's antibacterial impact gets triggered by oxygenated radicals in aqueous solutions, this will cause changes in the osmotic permeability of the cell membranes resulting in cell damage 28. Ozone is not only an antimicrobial agent, but it can also enhance blood circulation and immune response. It can modulate the cellular and humoral immune system of the patient by the proliferation of immunocompetent cells and the synthesis of immunoglobulins. It can stimulate the phagocytosis process, activate the macrophages, and increase the sensitivity of microorganisms to macrophages29.

There are multiple forms for the application of ozone as ozone gas, ozonated water, and ozonated oil that are used for root canal irrigation and as intra-canal medicaments to obtain disinfection of root canal systems. Ozonated water and olive oil act by entrapping ozone and then emitting it 30.

Nowadays, ozone is utilized in the manufacturing of ozonated olive oil (Oleozon), which is increasingly being utilized as a clinical therapeutic agent for wound healing 31.

Olive oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, mainly due to its fatty acid's oleic acid and linoleic acid, and its polyphenol compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, and oleocanthal 32.

Up to our knowledge, no previous studies discussed Zinc oxide-ozonated olive oil as pulp capping material in non-vital primary molars.

Thus, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic effect of zinc oxide-ozonated olive oil versus Modified Triple Antibiotic Paste (MTAP) utilizing LSTR technique in the treatment of non-vital primary molars.