comparative study of dentin bridge formation following pulpotomy using calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate in young dogs

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of dentin bridge formation of mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] and calcium hydroxide were compared following pulpotomy in young dogs. Forty-two mandibular permanent premolars teeth of seven 6-month-old dogs were used in this study. Following anesthetizing the animals, rubber dams were applied and the teeth were pulpotomized. Then the wounds were dressed with either MTA or calcium hydroxide, respectively. The animals were perfused with 1 to 4 months later. The jaws containing the pulps and the surrounding dentins were prepared and examined histologically by two independent evaluators blinded to the treatment groups. Dentin bridges were formed in all of the examined pulps with the mean thickness of 246 microm for MTA and 244 microm for calcium hydroxide groups. Tunnel defects and porosities within the dentinal bridges in the calcium hydroxide cases were more evident than those of the MTA-treated cases. In this study, 2 of 33 MTA treated cases and 11 of 37 calcium hydroxide cases demonstrated acute and chronic inflammation of pulps. It appears that pulp reaction to MTA is more favorable and this material is more suitable than calcium hydroxide for pulpotomy in young permanent teeth