[Using mineral trioxide aggregate as a direct pulp-capping material in dogs].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the dental pulp responses in dogs after MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) and a calcium hydroxide (Dycal) were applied as pulp-capping materials.


METHODS
Twelve cuspids in three healthy adult beagle dogs were divided into two groups randomly. MTA or Dycal was used to repair the exposed site which was created with a fissure bur in a high-speed handpiece with copious water spray at the labial cervical access. Then the cavity was filled with glass ionomer cement (GIC). Four months later, the specimens were processed for histologic examination to observe the pulpal inflammation and dentin bridge formation.


RESULTS
Five of six samples capped with MTA were free of pulpal inflammation, and all of samples in this group had dentin bridge formation. In contrast, all of samples capped with Dycal showed pulpal inflammation, and dentin bridge formation occurred in only 2 samples.


CONCLUSIONS
MTA is a biocompatible material which can promote dentin bridge formation. It can be used as a direct pulp-capping material during vital pulp therapy.
Zhu
Ya-qin
YQ
Department of Oral Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200011, China. zhu1590@hotmail.com
Xia
Lie
L
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D000818:Animals; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods*; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals; D010087:Oxides; D017640:Silicates
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008903:Minerals; D010087:Oxides; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; C025702:Dycal; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide