Clinical Comparison of Eggshell Derived Calcium Hydroxyapatite with Dycal® as Indirect Pulp Capping Agents in Primary Molars

Abstract Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite with Dycal® as indirect pulp capping material in primary molars. Material and Methods: A total of 32 carious primary molars from 22 children (6-10-years) were screened, of which 26 primary molars meeting inclusion criteria were selected and equally divided into two groups. At the first appointment, the infected dentin was excavated using a spoon excavator after treating the carious part with Carie-Care™ chemomechanical caries removal agent. After this, eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite in Group 1 and Dycal® in Group 2 were used as liners followed by restoration of the cavity with type IX glass ionomer cement. Clinical assessment for pain and radiographic assessment for measurement of the amount of reparative dentin thickness formation was performed at baseline, 8 weeks and 3 months. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Higher mean reparative dentin formation was found in eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite group than Dycal® group at the end of 8 weeks and 3 months and the difference was significant statistically (p<0.001). Conclusion: Eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite seems to be a suitable alternative to Dycal® (calcium hydroxide) that can be used as a liner for indirect pulp capping in primary molars.

Response of human dental pulp to calcium hydroxide paste preceded by a corticosteroid/ antibiotic dressing agent

Aim: To evaluate the treatment with corticosteroid/antibiotic dressing in pulpotomy with calciumhydroxide. Methods: Forty-six premolars were pulpotomized and randomly assigned into 3groups. In Group I pulpal wound was directly capped with calcium hydroxide, and Group II and Group III received corticosteroid/antibiotic dressing for 10 min or 48 h, respectively, before pulp capping. Teeth were processed for histological analysis after 7, 30 or 60 days to determine inflammatory cell response, tissue disorganization, dentin bridge formation and presence of bacteria.Attributed scores were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (á=0.05). Results:On the 7th day, all groups exhibited dilated and congested blood vessels in the tissue adjacent to pulpal wound. The inflammatory cell response was significantly greater in Group III (p<0.05). On the 30th day, in all groups, a thin dentin matrix layer was deposited adjacent to the pulpal wound and a continuous odontoblast-like cell layer underlying the dentin matrix was observed. On the60th day, all groups presented a thick hard barrier characterized by an outer zone of dystrophic calcification and an inner zone of tubular dentin matrix underlined by a defined odontoblast-like celllayer. Conclusions: Within the limitations of present study, considering that the treatment was performed in healthy teeth, it may be concluded that the use of a corticosteroid/antibiotic dressing before remaining tissue protection with calcium hydroxide had no influence on pulp tissue healing.