Effect of betamethasone on the pulp after topical application to the dentin of rat teeth: vascular aspects of the inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the pulpal effect of topically applied betamethasone to the dentin of rat molars in the vascular phase of inflammation.


METHODS
Deep cavities were prepared on the occlusal face of the maxillary right and left 1st molars with non-refrigerated inverted-cone steel burs at low speed. Three groups were formed: Group I was composed of right 1st molars; Group II was composed of left 1st molars that received the application of a drop of betamethasone on dentin surface for 5 min; and Group III (control) was composed of right 2nd molars that received no cavity preparation or betamethasone application. Changes in the vascular characteristics of the pulp tissue were checked by calculating the pulp vascular area in relation to its total area and the number of blood vessels per unit area. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test (?=0.05).


RESULTS
Group I presented a significantly larger number of vessels (p<0.05) than Group II. Regarding the vascular/total area ratio (%), Group I presented statistically significantly higher values (p=0.01) than Groups II and III.


CONCLUSIONS
Betamethasone applied on the dentin of rat teeth proved to reduce the vascular phase of pulp inflammation regarding vessel diameter and number of blood vessels.
Fachin
Elaine Vianna Freitas
EV
Department of Conservative Dentistry, Dental School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. efachin@hotmail.com
Scarparo
Roberta Kochenborger
RK
Pezzi
Ana Paula Weissheimer
AP
Luisi
Simone Bonato
SB
Sant'ana Filho
Manoel
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects*; D003804:Dentin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats
D001623:Betamethasone