BIOCOMPATABILITY OF COMPOMER RESTORATIVE SYSTEMS ON NONEXPOSED DENTALPULPS OF PRIMATE TEETH

This study evaluated the histologic response of total-etched and nonet ched compomer restored cavity preparations. One hundred fifteen class 5 cavity preparations were placed in the teeth of four healthy adult m onkeys at 7, 27, and 90 days. A 37% H3PO4 was applied for 10 seconds a nd rinsed in total-etched preparations. No statistical differences wer e seen in inflammatory reactions among total-etched or nonetched compo mers at 7, 27, and 90 days. There were no statistical differences in i nflammatory cell responses among all compomer systems in regard to tim e intervals. Pulpal responses of compomers were greater than IRM at ea ch time period. Pulp responses were associated with stained bacteria i n 32 of 89 compomer teeth. No necrotic pulps were seen in any teeth. S tatistical data show a positive correlation (P < 0.05) between bacteri al presence and pulpal inflammation. IRM pulps showed no inflammation or bacterial staining. Compomers are biologically compatible with pulp tissues when bacteria are excluded.