Effects of direct resin pulp capping techniques on short-term response of mechanically exposed pulps

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the effects of direct pulp ca pping techniques on the short-term response of mechanically exposed pulps u sing three commercially available adhesive resin systems. Class V cavities were prepared on the facial surface of 200 intact monkey teeth. Pulps were exposed with a carbide bur on the cavity Boor. Each exposed pulp was capped with one of three commercially available adhesive resins or a hard-setting calcium hydroxide liner. All cavities were sealed with an adhesive resin, and were restored with hybrid resin composites. Inflammatory cell infiltrat ion and dentine bridging of the exposed pulp and protrusion of the exposed pulp tissue into the cavities were evaluated histologically at 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. A slight inflammatory cell infiltration was the principal rea ction of the exposed pulp. The exposed area was occluded over time with den tine bridging in all groups. However, a protrusion of pulp tissue into the prepared cavity was observed at the periphery of the exposed area in all gr oups. These tissues communicated with the underlying pulp. The incidence of pulp tissue protrusion was ranked in order of increasing severity: Liner B ond II < Dycal < Bondwell LC = Super Bond C&B. Following pulp capping of th e mechanical exposures, slight inflammation was the main reaction. Exposure s became occluded with a dentine bridge over time. However, the protrusion of pulp tissue into cavities varied, depending on the materials used. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.