ABSTRACT:
AIM: To review the technique of lesion sterilization and tissue repair and its significance as an alternative to pulpectomy and extraction in primary tooth. BACKGROUND: Lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR) therapy is an endodontic treatment procedure that involves non-instrumentation or minimal instrumentation which is followed by the placement of antibiotic mixture to disinfect root canal systems. OBJECTIVE: In general, treatment for teeth with infected root canals or periradicular tissue is endodontic pulpectomy therapy, other than extraction. Although success rates of endodontic root canal procedures are good, the technique can be very challenging in primary tooth due to morphology of the canals. Thus, lesion sterilization and tissue repair technique using antibiotic paste is introduced as an alternative to pulpectomies and extractions in primary teeth. REASON: The article reviews the nature of the technique, its indications, uses and clinical procedures required in performing the technique. LSTR technique aims at eliminating the causative bacteria from lesions by sterilizing the lesions promoting tissue repair and regeneration by natural tissue recovery process.