A comparative evaluation of light cure calcium silicate and resin‑modified glass ionomer as indirect pulp capping agent in primary molars: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Minimally invasive techniques should be employed to maintain pulp vitality without
affecting physiological tooth resorption for pediatric patients. This study aims to evaluate clinical
and radiographic success of light cure calcium silicate and resin‑modified glass ionomer (RMGI) as
indirect pulp‑capping agent in primary molars in children between 5 and 9 years.
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 40 primary molars with the
International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria 4–6 score were divided randomly
into two groups after computerized randomization method. After caries excavation by minimally
invasive dentistry principle, affected dentin was lined by either light cure calcium silicate (Group I)
or RMGI (Group II) liner followed by composite restoration. Clinical success was determined with
the absence of symptoms and bitewing radiographs were taken at baseline, 3, and 6 months’ interval
to measure increase in dentin increment using ImageJ software. Statistical analysis for intergroup
comparison was done using Paired t‑test, and Independent t‑test was used for intragroup comparison.
The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: Change in dentin increment seen from baseline to 6 months in Group I was 0.19 mm
and in Group II was 0.20 mm (P = 0.924). Intragroup increment was statistically significant during
all follow‑up intervals for both the groups (Group I – P ≤ 0.001, Group II – P = 0.009). For baseline
remaining dentin thickness >1.5 mm, statistically significant increase was observed in the dentin
increment at 3 months’ interval between both the groups.
Conclusion: Both TheraCal LC and Vitrebond show acceptable clinical and radiographic results
when used in primary molars as indirect pulp treatment agents. Both the liners are equivalent to
each other in terms of feasibility and cost‑effectiveness but TheraCal LC can be preferred due to
better handling and avoiding the manipulation step thereby reducing treatment time.
Key Words: Deciduous teeth, dental cavity, indirect pulp treatment, pulp capping, reparative
dentin, resin‑modified glass ionomers, TheraCal LC