Analysis of primary tooth dentin after indirect pulp capping.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of primary molar dentin after indirect pulp capping (ICP) by of color, consistency and microhardness analyses.


METHODS
The study design consisted of 3 groups: a test group of 13 primary molars that had been submitted to ICP with either calcium hydroxide or resin-modified glass ionomer cement; a positive control group of 15 sound molars; and a negative control group of 15 molars with deep acute carious lesions. The test group teeth had their restorations and pulp-capping materials removed and their cavity depth measured (mean depth=3-4 mm). In the positive control group, 3- to 4-mm-deep cavities were prepared. In the negative control group, the infected dentin was removed following the same parameters used for dentin excavation in a previous study by the authors. In all groups, the remaining dentin was analyzed according to descriptive standards (consistency and color). Microhardness was performed by a calibrated examiner blinded to the groups. Data were analyzed statistically by 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (P <.01).


RESULTS
The dentin of all teeth in the test group became hard. Nine teeth had yellow-clear dentin, and 4 teeth had dark-brown dentin. Microhardness means (+/-SD) were: test group=40.81 (+/-16.28) KHN (Knoop hardness number); positive control group=62.73 (+/-11.24) KHN; and negative control group=19.15 (+/-6.99) KHN. Microhardness assessment showed no statistically significant differences (P <.01) among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study's results suggest a mineral gain by the affected dentin after IPC, regardless of the protective base material.
Marchi
Juliana J
JJ
Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Froner
Andrea M
AM
Alves
Hugo L R
HL
Bergmann
Carlos P
CP
Araújo
Fernando B
FB
D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003116:Color; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003736:Dental Cavity Lining; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods*; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry*; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008903:Minerals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008963:Molar; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements; D008903:Minerals; C084550:Vitremer; C025702:Dycal; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide