Objective:To compare the success rates of iRoot BP Plus and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) used as pulp capping materials respectively in pulpotomies of human primary molars and to evaluate the clinical efficacy of iRoot BP Plus.Methods:Children who had at least one pair of carious primary molars and needed to receive pulpotomy under general anesthesia were selected in the present split-mouth trail from August to December, 2018. Each pair of the molars was randomly divided into iRoot BP Plus (experimental group) and MTA group (control group). Children were recalled after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment both for clinical and radiographic evaluations. Relevant medical and radiographic records were collected. Success rates of two groups were compared and influence factors were analyzed.Results:Totally 20 children (10 boys and 10 girls), 28 pairs of split-mouth molars (56 molars, 28 in experimental group and 28 in control group) were included in the study. At the end of the study, 23 pairs of molars were received the 12-month follow-up. The success rates of 3, 6 and 12 months were 96% (25/26), 92% (22/24) and 87% (20/23) in the experimental group, and 100% (26/26), 96% (23/24), 96% (22/23) in the control group, respectively. There were no significant differences between each of the follow-ups in two groups ( P>0.05). The success rate of iRoot BP Plus was significantly influenced by the time of hemostasis after amputating the coronal pulp ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Pulpotomies of human primary molars with either iRoot BP Plus or MTA had favorable treatment outcomes. The iRoot BP Plus could be a promising biomaterial in pulpotomy.

Objective:To develop a prototype artificial intelligence image recognition system for detecting dental caries, especially those without cavities, in children.Methods:Seven hundred and twelve intraoral photos, which were taken by dental professionals using a digital camera from October 2013 to June 2020 in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, were collected from the children who received dental treatment under general anesthesia. The well-documented post-treatment electronic dental record of each child was identified as label standard to determine whether the teeth were carious and the type of caries types such as caries that had become cavities (caries with cavities), pit and fissure caries that had not become cavities (pit and fissure caries) and proximal caries which the marginal ridge enamel had not been destroyed (proximal caries). The various teeth and caries types were labeled by pediatric dentists using VoTT software (Windows 2.1.0, Microsoft, U S A). There were five labeled groups: pit and fissure caries, approximal caries, non-carious approximal surfaces, caries with cavities and teeth without caries (including intact fillings). Each group was randomly divided into training dataset, validation dataset and test dataset at a ratio of 6.4∶1.6∶2.0 by using random number table. After using the labeled training dataset for deep learning training, a deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition system for detecting dental caries was established, with the caries probability greater than 50.0% as the criterion for determining caries. Sensitivity and accuracy were used as indicators of recognition specificity.Results:Seven hundred and twelve single-jaw intraoral photographs were segmented and annotated into 953 pit and fissure caries, 1 002 approximal caries, 3 008 caries with cavities, 3 189 teeth without caries and 862 non-carious approximal surfaces, totaly 9 014 labels. The sensitivities and specificities of the test set were 96.0% and 97.0% for caries with cavities, 95.8% and 99.0% for pit and fissure caries and 88.1% and 97.1% for approximal caries.Conclusions:The current AI system developed based on deep learning of the intra-oral photos in the present study showed the ability to detect dental caries. Furthermore, the AI system could accurately verify different types of dental caries such as caries with cavities, pit and fissure caries and proximal caries.

Objective: To evaluate the treatment effectiveness of revascularization in immature permanent teeth with diffuse pulpitis and to provide an alternative approach for the treatment of these teeth. Methods: Clinical and radiographic data were collected from 17 immature permanent teeth which were diagnosed as diffuse pulpitis and with their pulp extirpated at Emergency Department of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. All these teeth were treated using pulp revascularization at Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Clinical success rate was then evaluated based on the clinical and radiographic findings. The increase of root length and dentin wall thickness of the revascularized teeth and the contralateral control teeth were measured and compared according to the preoperative and recall periapical radiographs. Results: The average follow-uptime is (25.8±9.9) months (12-46 months). Totally 13 out of the 17 teeth showed normal clinical and radiographic manifestation and achieved the increasein root length and dentin wall thickness. They met criteria for success treatment. The rest 4 out of the 17 teeth also showed root length and dentin wall thickness increaseand apical foramen closure. However, periapical inflammations were observed during 12 to 36 monthfollow-ups. These cases were recognized as failed. In all the17 teeth, the increase of root length and dentin wall thickness was not significantly different between the revascularized teeth and the contralateral control teeth (P>0.05). Conclusions Pulp revascularization in young permanent teeth with diffuse pulpitis resulted in similar clinical outcomes in root development and root canal wall formation compared with the contralateral control teeth. However, reinfection might occur during long-term follow-up.

Objective To evaluate the preliminary clinical effect of mineral trioxide aggragate (MTA) pulpotomy on immature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis.Methods Twenty-six immature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis were recuited from Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology.These teeth were treated with partial or full pulpotomy according to the condition of pulp bleeding.MTA was used as pulp capping material.Patients were recalled periodically after the treatment.Clinical and radiographic effects were evaluated.Results At one year follow-up, 20 teeth were evaluated as healed or healing, 2 teeth were evaluated as failure and 4 teeth were dropped out.The success rate was considered 91％(20/22).A dentinal bridge was radiographcally observed underneath the pulpotomy site in 13 teeth(65％, 13/20).Conclusions MTA pulpotomy is an effective method for the treatment of immature permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis.But further research with longer follow up period is required.