Evaluation of two mineral trioxide aggregate compounds as pulp-capping agents in human teeth.

AIM: The present randomized, controlled prospective study evaluated the histomorphological response of human dental pulps capped with two grey mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) compounds. METHODOLOGY: Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor of 40 human permanent pre-molars. The pulp was capped either with ProRoot (Dentsply) or MTA-Angelus (Angelus) and restored with zinc oxide eugenol cement. After 30 and 60 days, teeth were extracted and processed for histological examination and the effects on the pulp were scored. The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Conover tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: In five out of the 40 teeth bacteria were present in pulp tissue. No significant difference was observed between the two materials (P > 0.05) in terms of overall histological features (hard tissue bridge, inflammatory response, giant cells and particles of capping materials). Overall, 94% and 88% of the specimens capped with MTA-Angelus and ProRoot, respectively, showed either total or partial hard tissue bridge formation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both commercial materials ProRoot (Dentsply) and MTA-Angelus (Angelus) produced similar responses in the pulp when used for pulp capping in intact, caries-free teeth.

Response of human dental pulp capped with MTA and calcium hydroxide powder.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the response of human dental pulp capped with a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Ca(OH)2 powder. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor of 40 permanent premolars. The pulp was then capped with either Ca(OH)2 powder (CH) or MTA and restored with resin composite. After 30 days (groups CH30 and MTA30) and 60 days (groups CH60 and MTA60), the teeth were extracted and processed for HE and categorized in a histological score system. The data were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Conover tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: In regard to dentin bridge formation, CH30 showed a tendency towards superior performance compared to MTA30 (p > 0.05), although the products showed comparable results at day 60. In the item "Inflammation" and "General State of the Pulp" (p > 0.05), CH showed a tendency towards presenting a higher inflammatory response. In the item "Other Pulpal Findings," MTA and Ca(OH)2 showed equal and excellent performance after 30 and 60 days (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: After 30 days, Ca(OH)2 powder covered with calcium hydroxide cement showed faster hard tissue bridge formation compared to MTA. After 60 days, Ca(OH)2 powder or MTA materials showed a similar and excellent histological response with the formation of a hard tissue bridge in almost all cases with low inflammatory infiltrate.

Response of human pulps capped with different self-etch adhesive systems.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of human pulps capped with a calcium hydroxide hard-setting cement or with two-step self-etch adhesive systems. Pulp exposures were performed on the occlusal floor, and the bleeding control was performed with saline solution. The exposed pulp tissue was capped with Clearfil LB 2V (2V) or Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and restored with a composite resin. In control group, the pulpal wound was capped with Ca(OH)(2) cement and restored with Clearfil LB 2V or Clearfil SE Bond + composite resin. After 30 and 90 days, the teeth were extracted, processed for hematoxylin and eosin, and categorized in a histological score system. The pulpal response was worse for groups capped with the self-etch adhesive systems (2V and SE) in both periods of evaluation, when compared to their respective control groups at 90 days (p < 0.05). For both self-etch systems evaluated, the pulp tissue exhibited moderate to severe inflammatory cell infiltrate involving the coronal pulp with chronic abscesses. Dentin bridging was observed in a few specimens. For the calcium hydroxide groups, almost all specimens showed dentin bridge formation, with few scattered inflammatory cells and normal tissue below the pulp exposure site. Calcium hydroxide should be used as the material of choice for pulp capping, and the use of two-step self-etch adhesives for human pulp capping is contraindicated.