Lesion Sterilization Tissue Repair (LSTR) Approach Of Non-Vital Primary Molars With A Chloramphenicol-Tetracycline-ZOE Antibiotic Paste: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The study aimed to perform a systematic scoping review with the need of exploring the actual clinical applications of the chloramphenicol-tetracycline-ZOE antibiotic paste (CTZ) as a lesion sterilization tissue repair (LSTR) therapy agent. Following a scoping framework suggested by Arksey and O’Malley, relevant articles (randomized controlled trials, literature reviews, observational studies, in vitro studies, and clinical case-series reports) published over the last 15 years (in English, Spanish, or Portuguese languages) were identified and retrieved from five internet databases: PubMed, Embase/Ovid, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and EBSCO. By title and abstract screening and after removing duplicates, 11 articles were finally included in the present scoping review: five randomized/non-randomized clinical trials, five in vitro studies, and one case-series report. According to the collected information, there were no differences between CTZ paste and conventional pulpectomy, antibiotic pastes, and intracanal filling materials, considering the clinical, radiographic, antimicrobial activity, and periapical tissue biocompatibility outcomes. CTZ has shown excellent rates of clinical success and good radiographic results, with adequate antimicrobial effects; however, its biocompatibility has been put into doubt. Contemporary pediatric dentists should carefully consider the CTZ paste as an alternative endodontic approach for pulpally involved primary molars, with the advantages of being simple and fast, and taking into account the limitations of instrumental pulpectomy such as the microbiological and morphological complexity of primary root canals.