Interface between newly formed dentine and mineral trioxide aggregate: a preliminary scanning electron microscopy study.
BACKGROUND
This study was carried out to investigate calcific tissue formation against mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) after pulp capping.


METHODS
The pulps of six teeth from four dogs were exposed and capped with MTA. After extraction each tooth was sectioned into halves. Each half was then further sectioned in the mesiodistal or buccolingual direction. Calcified tissue of the capped area was examined from either the pulpal side or in profile view using scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam imaging.


RESULTS
The results from all views showed that MTA crystals were in direct contact with calcified tissue. Calcified bridges after focused ion beam preparation showed the same pattern that were seen by scanning electron microscopy in profile view. Newly deposited dentine and early phase of calcosphirit structures could clearly be distinguished from older tubular dentine.


CONCLUSIONS
MTA when used as a pulp capping agent could produce calcific tissue in underlying pulp.
Department of Endodontic, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Masoud
M
Parirokh
Department of Endodontics, Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran.
Saeed
S
Asgary
Department of Endodontics, Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Jatar
MJ
Eghbal
Facility Coordinator, Electron Microscope Unit, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australia National University, ACT, Australia.
Sally
S
Stowe
Department of Endodontic, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
Jamileh
J
Ghoddusi
Dentinogenesis; MTA; Pulp Capping; SEM