Efficacy of a single session protocol for endodontic treatment in primary teeth: in vivo study.

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of a single session protocol (SSP) in the reduction of septic content of primary teeth root canals and identify the persistence of bacterial species associated with unsuccessful treatment. Primary teeth root canals (16) with pulp necrosis and peri-radicular lesions were treated. Samples were collected at baseline (T1), and after chemo-mechanical preparation, before filling (T2). Identification of the microorganisms was determined using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridisation. Wilcoxon test was applied for comparison of mean number of species, proportion and mean count of each species between the evaluation times. Significant reductions were found in the mean number of bacteria species between T1 and T2 (p<0.05), but not for the reduction in proportion (p>0.05). There was a reduction (6.0-4.6) of the mean number of species associated with failure, without statistical significance. The SSP was capable of significantly reducing the septic content, even though, many of the bacteria associated with failure persisted at the time of root canal filling.