USING A DENTAL OPERATING MICROSCOPE IN THE DIAGNOSTICS OF ASYMPTOMATIC PULPITIS IN PRIMARY TEETH

Abstract

Introduction: The expanded indications for the using a dental operating microscope (DOM) in pediatric dentistry with minimal intervention include an application for the microscope in discovering specific, clinical criteria for the differential diagnosing of pulpitis, requiring different medical approaches. Aim: To study the application of magnifying technology with a DOM in the diagnosis of asymptomatic closed pulpitis in primary molars Material and methods: Subject of the study were 40 primary molars (19 first and 21-second molars) of children (20 girls and 20 boys) at the ages of 4-7, with cavi-tated carious lesions in the dentine. The visual clinical diagnosis was carried out by simple visual inspection and also with the use of magnifying technology DOM (Semorr DOM3000E) at a magnification factor of 8, 16 and 23.3 in accordance with a standardized methodology. An assessment of the carious dentine, with and without DOM, was made. The visual-tactile method of Bjorndal was used. Results: The use of DOM in the course of diagnosis contributes to a more detailed and precise assessment of the size of the carious lesions, which is an important diagnostic criterion. The use of magnifying technology is an excellent tool for making a precise differential diagnosis between deep dentine caries and asymptomatic pulpitis. When using a DOM, there is a greater diversity of the col-ours and nuances of the carious dentine, with lighter shades being predominant, which is an indicator of predominantly faster development of the carious lesion.