Histologic assessment of human pulp response to capping with mineral trioxide aggregate and a novel endodontic cement.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to compare human pulp response to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and a novel endodontic cement (NEC) when used as pulp capping materials after a time period of 2 and 8 weeks.


METHODS
Thirty-two premolar teeth that were scheduled for extraction for orthodontic reasons were exposed and capped with either MTA or NEC. Half of the specimens underwent extraction and histologic analysis after 2 weeks, and the remaining half were assessed after 8 weeks. Each slide was graded histologically according to the morphology of the dentinal bridge, thickness of the dentinal bridge, presence of odontoblast cells, and inflammation of the pulp.


RESULTS
Both MTA and NEC showed significantly better pulp response after 8 weeks compared with 2 weeks, with a thicker and more tubular pattern of the dentinal bridge, less pulp inflammation, and a palisade pattern of odontoblast cells. Although MTA and NEC groups had no significant difference in each measure in both time intervals, NEC induced a thicker dentinal bridge with less pulp inflammation at both 2 weeks and 8 weeks, compared with MTA.


CONCLUSIONS
MTA and NEC showed similar biocompatibility and favorable response in pulp capping treatment and inducing the formation of the dentinal bridge.
Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry and Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohammad Hassan
MH
Zarrabi
Maryam
M
Javidi
Amir Hossein
AH
Jafarian
Bahareh
B
Joushan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000187:drug effects; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping / Q000379:methods; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000473:pathology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000473:pathology; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057872:Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000473:pathology; D017640:Silicates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003738:Dental Cements; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D057872:Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents; D017640:Silicates; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate