Comparative Evaluation of Ocimum sanctum and Calcium Hydroxide Mix as an Obturating Material in Deciduous Molars: An In Vivo Study

ABSTRACT

Aim and Objectives

To evaluate clinical and radiographic efficacy of a mix of O. sanctum (tulsi extract) and calcium hydroxide as an obturating material in primary molars and to compare these findings with commercially available iodoform with calcium hydroxide paste (metapex).

Materials and Methods

The present study was conducted on sixty children age group 4–7 years requiring multiple visit pulpectomy for their primary molars. The teeth selected were randomly divided into two groups. One group received Metapex and other group received Tulsi extract with calcium hydroxide as an obturating material. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were done between both the groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in the clinical and radiographic success rate between both the groups.

Conclusion

Tulsi extract with calcium hydroxide can be used as an obturating material in primary molars.

How to cite this article

Agarwal S, Gupta S, Tandon S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Ocimum sanctum and Calcium Hydroxide Mix as an Obturating Material in Deciduous Molars: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(6):617–621.

INTRODUCTION

Primary dental arch is considered to be the natural space maintainer, thereby making it important to maintain its integrity, until their normal exfoliation.^1–3

Tomie-Karovie and Jelinek⁴ and Edwards and Nord⁵ suggested that the disinfection of the root canal from polymicrobial flora determines the success of endodontic therapy.

Ample medicinal agents have been suggested as pulp therapy agents in primary teeth. Among the plants known for medicinal value, the plants of genus Ocimum (tulsi), has been suggested for its therapeutic potential.^6–8

Tulsi is known for its orodental uses. Its leaves are quite effective in treating common oral infections. Thus, the present study aims to assess the radiological and clinical efficacy of a mix of Ocimum sanctum (tulsi extract) and calcium hydroxide as an obturating material in primary molars and to compare these findings with commercially available iodoform and calcium hydroxide paste (Metapex).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 primary molars in children aged between 4 years and 7 years were selected from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, RUHS College of Dental Sciences, Jaipur. After selection of patients clearance from the institutional ethical committee was obtained. The parents or guardians of the child were informed about the condition of the child’s dentition. They were briefed about the treatment required including the advantage and risks associated if any. Participation in this study was at will and before the start of the study informed written consent was obtained from parents or guardian.

The teeth which were selected for the study had the following clinical and radiographic criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

Clinical Criteria

• Restorable primary first and second mandibular molars.

• History of spontaneous pain with a deep carious lesion.

• Tenderness on percussion.

• Presence of abnormal mobility, i.e., mobility other than from normal exfoliation.

• Presence of abscess or fistula.

Radiographic Criteria

• Presence of radiolucency in the intraradicular and periradicular area not involving permanent tooth bud.

• Adequate bone coverage (at least two-thirds of one root).

• Absence of internal and external resorption.

• Presence of at least two-third root length.

Exclusion Criteria

Clinical Criteria

• Systemic illnesses, such as, congenital ischemic heart disease, leukemia.

• Children with special healthcare needs.

• Excessive tooth mobility.

• The unrestorable crown portion of the tooth.

Radiographic Criteria

• Pathological external root resorption.

• Internal resorption.

• Cysts associated with the primary tooth.

• Intraradicular radiolucency that communicates with the pulp chamber.

The teeth selected were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received their respective obturating material.

• Group I: Iodoform with calcium hydroxide (Metapex).

• Group II: Tulsi extract with calcium hydroxide.

Preparation of Calcium Hydroxide and Tulsi Extract Mixture

Calcium hydroxide (one scoop) and tulsi extract (Shri Tulsi—three drops) was mixed to a hemogeneous consistency using a stainless steel spatula and a glass slab.

Methodology

The selected tooth was anesthetized using an inferior alveolar nerve block and the access cavity was prepared in accordance with the extent of the lesion.

Biomechanical and chemomechanical preparation was carried out using K and H files and appropriate irrigating solutions were used to debride necrotic pulp. Canals were dried using paper points. Then, the canals were obturated with Metapex group I and with the mixture of calcium hydroxide and tulsi extract in group II with the help of lentulospirals. Radiographic confirmation was done. Then, access cavity was restored with composite followed by stainless steel crowns.

Patients were recalled and the teeth of groups I and II were evaluated in 1-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up.

On follow-up visits, the evaluation was based on the (absence) following criteria:

Clinical Criteria

• Spontaneous pain,

• Tenderness.

• Abnormal mobility.

• Abscess/fistula.

Radiographic Criteria

• Intraradicular radiolucency.

• Periradicular radiolucency.

• Bone support.

• Internal resorption.

• Pathological external resorption.

Based on these clinical and radiographic criteria comparison was made between both materials.

The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Group I

Following results were obtained in group I (Metapex).

Clinical Criteria (Table 1)

Table 1.

No. of cases with various clinical parameters at different follow-up visits in group I

Clinical criteria	Pre-treatment	1 week	3 months	6 months
Spontaneous pain	30 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (3.3%)
Tenderness	26 (86.7%)	1 (3.3%)	0 (0%)	2 (6.7%)
Abnormal mobility	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Abscess/fistula	1 (3.3%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)

At 6-month recall, one tooth reported with pain. One tooth was tender till one week then no tooth was reported with tenderness at 3-month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up, two cases (6.7%) were reported with tenderness.

Post-treatment no abnormal mobility or fistula was observed.

Radiographic Criteria (Table 2)

Table 2.

No. of cases with various radiographic parameters at different follow-up visits in group I

Radiographic criteria	Pre-treatment	1 week	3 months	6 months
Intraradicular radiolucency	1 (3.3%)	1 (3.3%)	1 (3.3%)	2 (6.7%)
Periradicular radiolucency	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (3.3%)	1 (3.3%)
Bone support	30 (100%)	30 (100%)	30 (100%)	30 (100%)
Internal resorption	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Pathological external root resorption	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)

Intraradicular radiolucency increased in size in one case at 6-month follow-up. There was another case reported with intraradicular radiolucency at 6 months.

Periradicular radiolucency increased in size at 6 months in two cases.

Bone support was present in all the cases.

There was no internal resorption or pathological external root resorption.

Group II

Following results were obtained in group II (calcium hydroxide with tulsi extract).

Clinical Criteria (Table 3)

Table 3.

No. of cases with various clinical parameters at different follow-up visits in group II

Clinical criteria	Pre-treatment	1 week	3 months	6 months
Spontaneous pain	30 (100.0%)	00.0%	13.3%	26.7%
Tenderness	25 (83.3%)	2 (6.7%)	1 (3.3%)	3 (10%)
Abnormal mobility	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Abscess/fistula	1 (3.3%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (3.3%)

Spontaneous pain was present in all 30 cases before the treatment. After 1 week, pain was not present in any of the cases. At 3 months, one case was reported with mild pain which was relieved after an analgesic prescription. On 6-month recall, two cases were reported with pain. The pain in one case got relieved after analgesics but in one case pain persisted even after analgesics so re-pulpectomy had to be done.

Tenderness was present in 83.3% of cases (25 out of 30) before the treatment. Two cases remained tender at 1-week follow-up. One case out of these two cases continued to be tender till 3- and 6-month follow-up too. At 6-month follow-up, two more cases were reported with tenderness.

No abnormal mobility was observed.

At 6-month follow-up, one case was reported with abscess and re-pulpectomy was done.

Radiographic Criteria (Table 4)

Table 4.

No. of cases with various radiographic parameters at different follow-up visits in group II

Radiographic criteria	Pre-treatment	1 week	3 months	6 months
Intraradicular radiolucency	4 (13.3%)	5 (16.7%)	3 (10%)	4 (13.3%)
Periradicular radiolucency	1 (3.3%)	3 (10%)	2 (6.7%)	1 (3.3%)
Bone support	30 (100%)	30 (100%)	30 (100%)	30 (100%)
Internal resorption	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
Pathological external root resorption	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)

Intraradicular radiolucency of the same size remained in all four cases till 1 week and one more case was reported at 1-week follow-up period. At 3-month follow-up period, radiolucency disappeared in two cases but it still continued to persist in the other three cases in which it was present at 1-week follow-up period. In the same three cases, the radiolucency continued to be present at 6-month follow-up, and additionally one more case was reported with the intraradicular radiolucency.

Periradicular radiolucency was present in one case before the treatment. In this case, this radiolucency of the same size continued to be present at 1-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups too. Two more cases were reported with periradicular radiolucency at 1-week follow-up. Out of these two cases, radiolucency disappeared in one case at 3-month follow-up and in another case at 6-month follow-up. Bone support was present in all the cases before the treatment and at different follow-up periods.

Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide and Tulsi Extract Mix with Metapex

Clinical Criteria

The comparison of the efficacy of tulsi extract and Metapex for clinical criteria was done in two ways:

• Comparison of the two obturating materials based on the frequency distribution of cases at the four stages—pre-treatment, at 1 week, at 30 months, and at 6 months. The distributions were tested for equality using a Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test at 0.05 significance level. For p values >0.05, the inference is drawn that there is no statistically significant difference between the two sample distributions. A p value <0.05 would indicate a statistically significant difference between the two sample distributions. A p value <0.01 would indicate a statistically highly significant difference between the two sample distributions.

• Comparison of the two obturating materials based on the proportion of cases (%) with respect to each of the clinical and radiographic criteria. The proportions were tested for equality using the two-sample Z test of proportions at 0.05 significance level. For p values >0.05, the inference is drawn that there is no statistically significant difference between the two sample proportions. A p value <0.05 would indicate a statistically significant difference between the two sample proportions. A p value <0.01 would indicate a statistically highly significant difference between the two sample proportions.

Overall Clinical Success Rate (Table 5)

Table 5.

Difference between Metapex and calcium hydroxide with tulsi extract mix in relation to the overall clinical success rate

	Success	Failure
Material	Metapex	28	2	30	p < 0.01, highly significant
	Tulsi	27	3	30	p < 0.01, highly significant
Total		55	5	60
(Metapex vs tulsi) Binomial test at 0.05 significance level—p value		1.00, not significant		1.00, not significant

Overall clinical success rates for tulsi with calcium hydroxide group and Metapex group were 90 and 93%, respectively. There was no significant different clinical success rate between both the groups at the end of the study (i.e., 6 months) (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

The distribution of clinical success in group I and group II

Overall Radiographic Success Rate (Table 6)

Table 6.

Difference between Metapex and calcium hydroxide with tulsi extract mix in relation to the overall radiographic success rate

		Radiographic success		Total	(Success vs failure) Binomial test at 0.05 significance level—p value
		Success	Failure
Material	Metapex	28	2	30	p < 0.01, highly significant
	Tulsi	26	4	30	p < 0.01, highly significant
Total		54	6	60
(Metapex vs tulsi) Binomial test at 0.05 significance level—p value		0.892, not significant		0.688, not significant

Overall radiographic success rates for tulsi with calcium hydroxide group and Metapex group were 87 and 93%, respectively. There was no significant different radiographic success rate between both the groups at the end of the study (i.e., 6 months) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

The distribution of radiographic success in group I and group II

DISCUSSION

With predictable management strategies and a better understanding of the root canals morphology, performing pulpectomy procedures to preserve primary teeth has become the mainstay treatment modality. The rationale of pulpectomy is to preserve the functioning of the primary tooth by making it infection free until its normal exfoliation.

Pulpectomy of the deciduous teeth includes thorough debridement and obturation using a biocompatible material which would match the rate of resorption of the involved tooth, without damaging the succedaneous permanent tooth and its eruption.

Primary root resorption causes the position of the apical foramen to change continuously. Primary root canal anatomy is complex which further complicates the endodontic therapy. The causatives for the pulpal and periapical pathosis are the microorganisms and their by-products. The main objective of endodontic therapy is to disinfect from the canals and prevent subsequent reinfection, which further governs the success of endodontic treatment.

Various medicaments, such as ZOE, calcium hydroxide, Endoflas, and iodoform combin ation formulations have been used to date with varying success rates, ranging between 70 and 90%.^9–11

Lately, extracts of various medicinal plants have also been widely suggested for their orodental uses. Phytomedicine (use of medicinal herbs for treatment) for oral disorders, such as dental caries and periodontal disease, has also been well practiced in traditional medicine of Indian, Egyptian, Greek, and Chinese civilizations.

In search of herbal compounds with broader and more effective antibacterial action in endodontics, tulsi extract showed significant antimicrobial activity when tested in vitro.

In consideration with other herbal medicines, tulsi is available in adequate amount, easy to procure, economic, and has been in use over centuries and possesses minimal side effects, hence its long-term use can be recommended.

Agarwal et al.¹² showed that tulsi extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and has the maximum antimicrobial potential at the 4% concentration level.

Gadiyar et al.¹³ carried out a study to determine the antimicrobial effect of O. sanctum L. against caries causing microorganisms S. mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus and found out that the MIC of ethanolic extract of O. sanctum L. against S. mutans and L. acidophilus was 2.5% (25 mg/mL) and 10% (100 mg/mL), respectively.

Prabhakar et al.¹⁴ carried out an in vivo study to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of O. sanctum L. leaves (tulsi) extract with saline solution as an intracanal irrigant against dentinal bacterial biofilms and concluded that 4% tulsi extract can be considered as a potential irrigant in contemporary pediatric endodontics.

Many in vitro studies have shown tulsi extract to be very effective against microbes causing root canal infection. Based on these in vitro studies we carried out this study to evaluate the efficacy of calcium hydroxide and tulsi (O. sanctum) extract mix as an obturating material in primary molar teeth.

In this study, calcium hydroxide and iodoform paste was used as a control group. Calcium hydroxide has been used as a root canal filling material in primary teeth with accountable success.¹⁵ The antibacterial property, tissue compatibility, and resorbable nature make it reasonable for use in primary teeth.

Iodoform is also commonly used in root canals of primary teeth. Iodoform is can be used singular or in combination with other materials. It is bacteriocidal, non-irritant, has good radiopacity, its non-shrinkage and insoluble properties make it a material of choice.¹⁶ It is a resorbable paste, it resorbs faster when compared to ZOE.¹⁷

Reyes and Reina¹⁸ and Kubota et al.¹⁹ suggested that the combination of calcium hydroxide with iodoform as an obturating material gives excellent clinical, radiographic, and histological results.

Machida²⁰ found that calcium hydroxide iodoform paste (Vitapex) resorbed faster when compared with the rate of root resorption. The study concluded that calcium hydroxide and iodoform mixture to be an almost ideal obturating material for primary teeth.

The present study used various clinical and radiographic criteria for evaluation of the success of pulpectomies. Clinical criteria were an absence of spontaneous pain, tenderness on percussion, abnormal mobility, presence of abscess/fistula. Radiographic criteria were the absence of intraradicular and periradicular radiolucencies, bone support, internal resorption, and pathological external root resorption.

Preoperative spontaneous pain was present in all 30 cases of group I (Metapex) and all 30 cases of group II (tulsi extract) before the treatment.

In this study, overall clinical success rates for group I (Metapex) and group II (tulsi) were 93 and 90%, respectively. And overall radiographic success rates for group I (Metapex) and group II (tulsi) were 93 and 87%, respectively. The clinical and radiographic success had no significant difference between both the groups, suggesting the use of both the agents as root canal obturating options in teeth.

CONCLUSION

The results in the study showed that endodontic therapy of primary teeth using calcium hydroxide and tulsi mix as an obturating material had a very good clinical and radiographic success rate and was equally comparable to calcium hydroxide and iodoform mix (Metapex).

However, to ascertain the efficacy of this obturating material prospective studies including clinical and histological evaluation with follow-up till tooth exfoliation should be carried out.