A bioactive, non-toxic, cost-effective pulp treatment material for pediatric dentistry.
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has traditionally been an expensive dental material for pediatric dentistry. Many pediatric dentists have opted instead to use formocresol as a primary molar pulpotomy medicament despite safety concerns related to its formaldehyde component. To provide pediatric dentists with what it describes as an affordable MTA that delivers the peace of mind formocresol may not provide, NuSmile has introduced NeoMTA.
Dr. Ashley Popejoy, a pediatric dentist from Springfield, MO, who has been using NuSmile NeoMTA in her practice, found that the material is an ideal solution to problems of high cost and possible toxicity. “The cost seems to be much better than our current MTA,” shared Dr. Popejoy. “Parents seem to be more accepting of this alternative pulpal therapy option compared to the stigma of formocresol.”
Dr. Popejoy was among a team of pediatric dentists who evaluated NuSmile’s NeoMTA for Dental Product Shopper, reporting by and large that NeoMTA helped them overcome some common challenges of MTAs.
Cost per Application
According to NuSmile, NeoMTA is dramatically less expensive than other MTAs and is the lowest cost per dose of any MTA on the market. A Florida dentist, who said he has only used the material for primary molar pulpotomies so far, said that this product offers the same properties (as other MTAs) at an affordable cost.
Dr. Paul Bahn, a pediatric dentist in Philadelphia, described NuSmile NeoMTA as a cost-effective means for pulp treatments. The most important benefit to using the product, according to Dr. Bahn, is that his clinic can now keep certain cases in-house that it previously had to refer out. “As a dentist, I try to use what will be better for patients,” noted a Texas dentist who said NuSmile NeoMTA offers the best price on the market. This same dentist concluded, “This product is superior to others, and the price point is more competitive.”
Handling and Properties
NuSmile NeoMTA is ideal for pediatric pulpotomies, direct and indirect pulp-capping, apexogenesis, and apexification. NuSmile says the material is easy to mix and apply, and offers superior handling characteristics. The radiopaque, non-staining formula is quickly washout-resistant and sets much faster than other MTAs, according to NuSmile.
Before using NuSmile NeoMTA, Dr. Charlie Toillion was searching for a more biocompatible pulp therapy treatment. After trying the product, he was impressed that it allowed for successful vital pulp therapy without the use of formocresol. “Easy application of MTA is critical in a busy practice,” Dr. Toillion said. His favorite features were the dosing, ease of use, and packability.
Dr. Marcio Guelmann, the pediatric dentistry chairman at a Florida university, said the material is easy to mix, but he would like to see improved setting time.
Dr. Steve Hackmyer reported that NuSmile NeoMTA mixes well and is easy to place. Dr. Zheng Xu liked the material’s “putty-like consistency” best and added, “The consistency is firm enough for easy placement if mixed right.” All of the dentists agreed that a non-staining MTA is important, with 2 listing “non-staining” as their favorite feature.
Dosage, Safety, Clinical Outcome
NuSmile NeoMTA is a 2-component powder-gel system that is bioactive and non-toxic. The powder is packaged in a resealable vial while the gel comes in a convenient dropper bottle. Clinicians can mix and use only the dosage needed for each treatment, which leads to cost-effective and efficient delivery.
Dr. Hackmyer was searching for a cost-effective MTA that didn’t have the toxicity concerns of formocresol and would be available for multiple uses (versus a single-use package). He found that NuSmile NeoMTA met all of these requirements, particularly since it is bioactive and non-toxic.
“[The] amount dispensed [was] good for 1 large pulp chamber or 2 small ones,” remarked Dr. Guelmann.
When asked to list 3 ways NuSmile NeoMTA impacted his practice, Frank Sierra, DMD, noted improved success of pulpotomy, reduced need for formocresol, and ideal indirect pulp capping (IDPC). Dr. Sierra said that NuSmile NeoMTA has improved his endo success and has led to a higher level of care in his clinic. He found the material especially helpful when treating a child who had deep caries in a permanent molar. He performed an indirect pulp capping procedure, and the tooth turned out to be stable. No endo treatment was necessary, which was important due to the special needs of the patient.
Dr. Michael Rosenbaum was also hoping to stop using formocresol and improve prognosis with hyperemic primary pulps. He found that NuSmile NeoMTA helped meet those needs. Dr. Toillion appreciated that the product allowed him to offer nontoxic pulp therapy, improve the success of pulp therapy, and keep children out of pain.
Overall Satisfaction
Dr. Bahn, who is the Clinical Program Director in a hospital pediatric dental residency program, found that his pediatric endo procedures resulted in more predictable long-term results with NuSmile NeoMTA. “It has truly been a wonderful and critical addition to our armamentarium,” he added. Dr. Popejoy shared her final thoughts: “I think MTA is the future of pulpal therapy, and I was excited to try it out.”
