EFFECTS OF ANTIBACTERIAL CAPPING AGENTS ON DENTAL PULPS OF MONKEYS MECHANICALLY EXPOSED TO ORAL MICROFLORA

The effects of antibacterial drugs on bacterially contaminated dental pulps were investigated in monkeys. Class V buccal cavities with pulpa l exposures were prepared and then left open to the oral environment f or 24 h. The exposed pulps were capped with a-tricalcium phosphate (al pha-TCP) containing a mixture of antibacterial drugs. Either alpha-TCP or Ca(OH)(2) was used as a control. Pulpal responses were histologica lly evaluated after 4 wk. Those teeth capped with alpha-TCP alone show ed total pulp necrosis and bacterial growth within the pulp chamber. B y contrast, the pulps capped with alpha-TCP containing mixed antibacte rial drugs remained almost normal without any necrotic layer, but show ed persistent absorbing response to capping materials and no signs of hard tissue barrier formation. In teeth capped with Ca(OH)(2), a hard tissue barrier was formed below the exposure site, with a wide loss of pulp tissue. No inflammation was seen under the barrier. These result s indicate that mixed antibacterial drugs added to alpha-TCP effective ly disinfected pulpal lesions, without destroying any of the sound pul p tissue. However, hard tissue barrier formation was delayed by this m ixture as compared with Ca(OH)(2).