title: Response of inflamed pulps of rat molars after capping with pulp-capping material containing fluocinolone acetonide.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Capping inflamed dental pulp tissue is currently a controversial issue. To reduce pulp inflammation and stimulate pulp healing, a pulp-capping material containing fluocinolone acetonide (PCFA) has been developed. This study was aimed to evaluate the inflammatory response and hard tissue formation of inflamed dental pulps of rat maxillary molars after capping with Dycal, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), or PCFA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty maxillary rat molars were exposed to the oral environment for 48 hours. The exposed pulps were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10) according to pulp-capping materials (Dycal, MTA, or PCFA) and time (8 or 30 days). The cavities were capped and sealed with Fuji II LC. The animals were sacrificed after 8 and 30 days. Histologic specimens were prepared and evaluated for inflammatory response and hard tissue formation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight days after pulp capping, all experimental groups showed disruption of the odontoblast layer in areas corresponding to the pulpal exposure. Acute inflammation was found in 80%, 60%, and 40% of samples in the Dycal, MTA, and PCFA groups, respectively. PCFA significantly decreased the pulp inflammation compared with Dycal. After 30 days, slight to moderate inflammation was found in all experimental groups. Hard tissue formation was found in 78%, 63%, and 100% of samples in the Dycal, MTA, and PCFA groups, respectively. No significant difference was found among the experimental groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulp capping with PCFA reduced the inflammation and stimulated hard tissue formation in the exposed pulps of rat molars. It may be used as a pulp-capping agent in inflamed pulps.
authors: Endodontic Section, Department of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Electronic address: phumisak.l@cmu.ac.th.
authors: Phumisak
authors: P
authors: Louwakul
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Veera
authors: V
authors: Lertchirakarn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003785:Dental Pulp Capping; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide
keywords: Calcium hydroxide; dental pulp; fluocinolone acetonide; inflammation; mineral trioxide aggregate; pulp capping