Preliminary report on the effects of propolis on wound healing in the dental pulp

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the antimicrobial and he aling potential of propolis on direct dental pulp exposures. This study use d 25 adult male rats. Pulp exposures were performed and animals were alloca ted to propolis and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2) groups. Animals were kille d on days 5, 7, 10, and 14. The teeth were routinely processed for histolog ical evaluation. Non-parametric tests were employed to analyze the data. No significant differences were found between study groups on the wound heali ng of the dental pulp. Both substances were comparable in exhibiting normal reorganization of the pulp and no increased vascularity, and were equally efficacious in maintaining a low inflammatory and microbial cell population as well as in stimulating the formation of reparative dentin.