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The purpose of the study was to compare and histologically investigate pulpal response and dentin bridge formation after direct pulp capping using recombinant amelogenin and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Recombinant amelogenin protein and MTA were used as pulp capping materials in 120 teeth from eight mongrel dogs. Dogs were sacrificed at two different evaluation times. Regenerative changes were evaluated histologically. At two weeks, in contrast to the MTA group, most of the amelogenin group showed moderately formed hard tissue formation and the pulp tissue was completely filling the entire pulp chamber. These results were statistically significant. At two months, all the samples of the amelogenin group showed complete dentin bridge formation and the pulp chamber was filled entirely with tissue-mimicking the authentic pulp in all the specimens of the amelogenin group. These results were statistically significant. In conclusion, direct pulp capping by recombinant amelogenin protein resulted in significantly better regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex than MTA., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Bahammam et al.)

Aims: To histologically assess and compare formocresol (FC), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and hesperidin (HPN) as pulpotomy agents in dogs., Materials and Methods: Pulpotomy was attempted from the buccal surface (class V) of 48 teeth in three mongrel dogs (Canis Lupus). Cavities were randomly allocated for three groups (n = 16) according to the pulpotomy agent used; (group I: FC (control), group II: PRF, and group III: HPN). All cavities were then sealed with zinc oxide eugenol followed by resin-modified glass ionomer restoration. Two months later, dogs were euthanized; the specimens were obtained and prepared for histological assessment followed by statistical analysis., Results: HPN specimens showed the best dentin bridge formation and the least inflammatory signs and pulp disorganization. Followed without statistically significant difference by PRF (P ≥ 0.05). Both of HPN and PRF, however, showed a significant difference statistically (P ≤ 0.05) to FC that showed no dentin bridging with more pronounced inflammation, necrosis, and pulp disorganization., Conclusions: For pulpotomy, HPN and PRF seemed histologically to be good substitutes for FC in the dog model., Competing Interests: None

Objective: The pulpal response to Hoffmann's Pulpine mineral (PMIN) and Pulpine NE (PNE) was compared to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) when used as pulpotomy materials in immature permanent teeth in dogs., Materials and Methods: Immature premolars were randomly divided according to the observation period into three equal groups (n = 24) (10 days, 30 days, and 90 days) then furtherly subdivided into 3 subgroups according to the material used. Histopathological analysis regarding inflammatory cell infiltration and dentin bridge (DB) formation was done. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using osteopontin marker., Results: The results showed that after 90 days, both MTA and PMIN subgroups had 100% complete thick DB without inflammation in 87.5% of the samples, while the PNE subgroup failed to form DB in 37.5% of the samples and 50% of samples showed thin initial DB with heavy inflammation in 62.5% of the samples. There was no significant difference between MTA and PMIN, while there was a statistically significant difference between PNE and the two other subgroups in DB formation and inflammatory cell infiltration (P > 0.05). After 90 days, MTA showed the highest mean value of osteopontin positive fraction area followed by PMIN without statistically significant differences, while the least value was recorded in PNE subgroup with statistically significant difference with the remaining subgroups (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: PMIN is a promising alternative to MTA when used for pulpotomy., Clinical Relevance: Vital pulp therapy in immature teeth can be done using PMIN as an alternative to MTA., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The study aims to investigate the quality of dentin barriers and pulp reaction to EndoSequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) combined with low-level laser application. In eight dogs, pulps were exposed via class V, half of the samples received low-level diode laser at 870 nm. Thereafter, cavities were capped with fast-set or regular-set ERRM. The specimens were processed for histomorphological and immunohistochemical examination after 2 weeks and 2 months. Dentin bridges were observed in all samples, and 87.5% were complete. The low-level laser group had significantly more reparative dentin area than the non-lased group (p < 0.05). The dentin bridges were found to have an unprecedented tubularity of 43%-89%. Tiny dentin island formation was observed within the material particles. Initial mild-to-moderate inflammatory reactions were observed, which subsided after 2 months. RUNX2 and osteocalcin staining were evident for all samples at both time intervals. Low-level laser combined with bioactive ERRM is effective in inducing reparative dentin formation., (© 2022 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc.)

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of pulpotomy with two kinds of calcium silicate materials, and to evaluate the formation of dentin bridge and pulp calcification after pulpotomy of adult permanent teeth., Methods: Patients who visited the General Department of Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from November 2017 to September 2019 and planned for pulpotomy on permanent premolars and molars with carious exposed pulp were selected. They were randomly divided into two groups. Bioceramic putty material iRoot BP (iRoot group, n =22) and mineral trioxide aggregate MTA (MTA group, n =21) were used as pulp capping agents, respectively. The patients were recalled after one year and two years. The clinical efficacy, dentin bridge index (DBI) and pulp calcification index (PCI) were recorded. Blinding method was used for the patients and evaluators., Results: There was no significant difference in gender, mean age, dentition and tooth position between the two groups ( P >0.05). Seven cases were lost during the first year (4 cases in iRoot group and 3 cases in MTA group). In the iRoot group, 1 case had transient sensitivity at the time of 1-year follow-up. The cure rate of the two groups was 100% at the time of 2-year follow-up. The proportion of dentin bridge formation was 38.9% one year after operation, 55.6% two years after operation. The proportion of partial or even complete disappearance of root canal image was 5.6% before operation, 38.9% and 55.6% one and two years after operation, respectively. The difference was statistically significant by rank sum test ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in dentin bridge formation and pulp calcification between the two groups ( P < 0.05). DBI and PCI after operation was as the same as those before operation (44.4% cases of DBI and 25% cases of PCI) or gradually increased (55.6% cases of DBI and 75% cases of PCI). Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis showed that age was positively correlated with preoperative pulp calcification index (PCI0, P < 0.05), but not with the dentin bridge index (DBI1, DBI2), pulp calcification index (PCI1, PCI2) and the degree of change (DBI2 vs . DBI1, PCI1 vs . PCI0, PCI2 vs . PCI0) 1-year and 2-year after operation ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: According to this study, good clinical effects were obtained within 2-year after pulpotomy of adult permanent teeth with MTA and iRoot. In some cases, the root canal system had a tendency of calcification aggravation, and there was no statistical difference in the development of this trend between the two groups.

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is an alternative endodontic material that predicts conductive or inductive calcified tissue formation from immature pulp mesenchymal stem cells (IPMSCs). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether MTA could promote reparative odontoblast differentiation via IPMSCs in the early phase of regeneration and compare with calcium hydroxide (CH). Direct pulp capping using calcium hydroxide (CH), MTA, and MTA with platelet-rich plasma (MTA + PRP) was performed on maxillary first molars of 8-week-old male Wistar rats ( n = 36). After 3, 7, or 14 days, the teeth were analyzed for mineral density (MD) and volume of MD (VMD) via micro-focusing computed tomography (µCT), nestin, dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 ( DMP1 ) immunohistochemistry, and real-time PCR for DMP1 mRNA expression. MTA stimulated the early phase differentiation of the IPMSCs into odontoblasts, with positive results for nestin and DMP1 compared with CH. Moreover, MTA + PRP stimulated calcified granule and dentin bridge formation through calcium mineral deposition, following the induction of DMP1 mRNA expression in IPMSCs. Our results suggested that the combination of MTA and PRP is an effective and clinically applicable method for activating endogenous dental pulp stem cells into odontoblasts in the early stages of pulp regeneration.

Dental pulp vitality is a desideratum for preserving the health and functionality of the tooth. In certain clinical situations that lead to pulp exposure, bioactive agents are used in direct pulp-capping procedures to stimulate the dentin-pulp complex and activate reparative dentinogenesis. Hydraulic calcium-silicate cements, derived from Portland cement, can induce the formation of a new dentin bridge at the interface between the biomaterial and the dental pulp. Odontoblasts are molecularly activated, and, if necessary, undifferentiated stem cells in the dental pulp can differentiate into odontoblasts. An extensive review of literature was conducted on MedLine/PubMed database to evaluate the histological outcomes of direct pulp capping with hydraulic calcium-silicate cements performed on animal models. Overall, irrespective of their physico-chemical properties and the molecular mechanisms involved in pulp healing, the effects of cements on tertiary dentin formation and pulp vitality preservation were positive. Histological examinations showed different degrees of dental pulp inflammatory response and complete/incomplete dentin bridge formation during the pulp healing process at different follow-up periods. Calcium silicate materials have the ability to induce reparative dentinogenesis when applied over exposed pulps, with different behaviors, as related to the animal model used, pulpal inflammatory responses, and quality of dentin bridges.

Melatonin plays an essential role in the regulation of bone growth. The actions that melatonin exerts on odontoblasts may be similar to its action on osteoblasts. This research aimed to evaluate the pulp response to melatonin used for direct pulp capping to evaluate the antioxidant effect of melatonin administered orally and its influence on dental pulp. Direct pulp capping was performed on the upper molars of Sprague Dawley rats using melatonin or Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). The study groups were: MTA; Melatonin; MTA + Melatonin administered orally; and Melatonin + Melatonin administered orally. In the latter two groups, the animals drank water dosed with melatonin ad libitum (10 mg/100 mL). After 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and 5 ml of blood, the kidneys, and the liver were extracted in order to evaluate oxidative stress using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances testing (TBARS). Fragments of the maxilla containing the study molars were prepared for histological evaluation. The degree of pulp inflammation and pulp necrosis, the presence of reparative dentin and dentin bridging the pulp chamber, the presence and regularity of the odontoblastic layer, and the presence of pulp fibrosis were evaluated. No significant differences were found between the four study groups for any of the studied histological variables. The oral administration of melatonin did not modify the local effects of MTA or melatonin on dental pulp, or reduce basal-level oxidative stress. The effect of melatonin on pulp is similar to that of MTA and may be used as an agent for direct pulp capping.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information: The effect of dental pulp capping materials on hard-tissue barrier formation. Didilescu AC, Cristache CM, Andrei M, Voicu G, Perlea P. J Am Dent Assoc 2018; 149 (10):903 - 17., Source of Funding: None., Type of Study/design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of data., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The long-term effect of direct pulp capping and pulpotomy is closely related to the type of pulp capping materials. Various kinds of direct pulp capping materials are available, such as calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregates. Diverse new pulp capping materials have been reported recently. The excellent performance of calcium silicates has attracted much attention in previous studies. Moreover, enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain), which is capable of regeneration and remineralization, and other materials with similar capabilities have shown potential for use in pulp capping.

Introduction: Ferric sulfate and Laser has been used for conventional pulpotomy therapy. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of pulpotomies using these have been done in numerous studies but there exists few studies analysing the histologic response of pulp to laser and ferric sulfate., Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare histological changes seen in the pulp following ferric sulfate and laser pulpotomy and compare these effects., Materials and Methods: This was a single blind in vivo study, consisting of 24 primary teeth. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups based on the material to be used and subgrouped based on the time period (30 and 45 days) of evaluation. The teeth were extracted after the study period and tissue processing done and subjected to Haematoxylin and Eosin staining procedure. The tissues were evaluated for dentin bridge formation, quality of dentin formation in the bridges, location of dentin bridges, tissue reaction to the material, inflammatory cell response and necrosis. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20.0 software. Intragroup comparisons of the observed values were analysed using Chi-square test., Results: Statistical analysis revealed non-significant difference between the two materials to produce reparative dentin and also the quality of dentin bridges formed in both the groups during both the observational periods. Majority of the samples in both ferric sulfate and laser group exhibited dentin bridge at the interface of the exposed pulp, bridging or attempting to bridge the site exposed to the pulpotomy material. The ability of the materials to evoke a foreign body and inflammatory cell responses in the pulpal tissue was not significant. All the samples of both the groups showed signs of necrosis with two samples of laser group showing severe necrosis in 45 days period. The difference between the groups in 30 days group was statistically significant., Conclusion: Laser and ferric sulfate are found to be able to initiate dentin bridge at the interface between the pulp and the material but the quality of bridge formed was better in laser group. Laser group showed more macrophage infiltration, inflammatory cell infiltration and areas of necrosis compared to ferric sulfate group though not statistically significant.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) for direct pulp capping in young permanent molars by clinical and radiographic evaluation in 7- to 9-year-old children., Methods: In 50 patients, 29 patients with bilateral asymptomatic first permanent molars with carious involvement were selected. According to split mouth design, these patients were then divided into 2 groups, Biodentine group (right side) and MTA group (left side). The pulp-capping procedure was performed by using Biodentine and MTA in 58 asymptomatic bilateral permanent molars with pulp exposure. At each recall (baseline, 6 and 12 months), treatment outcome was assessed clinically through pulpal sensitivity tests as well as radiographically to evaluate dentin bridge formation., Results: The study reported 100% success rate with both Biodentine and MTA at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up on the basis of clinical and radiographic parameters. These findings were statistically non-significant (P < .05) between both groups (Biodentine and MTA). Radiographically, dentin bridge formation was not evident with both groups at baseline, but it was evident after 6- and 12-month follow-up. These findings were statistically non-significant (P < .05) in both Biodentine and MTA groups., Conclusions: This study reported 100% success rate with both MTA and Biodentine when used as direct pulp-capping agent in first permanent molars in 7- to 9-year-old children. The major limitations of the study were smaller sample size and short follow-up period., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study evaluates the biological properties of a new pulp capping material developed from Portland cement. This study was conducted on 48 teeth in 4 dogs (12 teeth/dog). The dogs were classified into two equal groups (n=24 teeth) according to the evaluation period including: group A (3 weeks) and group B (3 months). Each group was further subdivided into three equal subgroups (n=8 teeth) according to the capping material including: subgroup 1: mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), subgroup2: Portland cement+10% calcium hydroxide+20% bismuth oxide (Port Cal) and subgroup 3: Portland cement+bismuth oxide. After general anesthesia, a class V buccal cavity was prepared coronal to the gingival margin. After pulp exposure and hemostasis,the capping materials and glass ionomer filling were placed on the exposure sites. All histopathological findings, inflammatory cell count and dentin bridge formation were recorded. Data were analyzed statistically. After 3 months, the histopathological picture of the pulp in subgroup 1 showed normal pulp, continuous odontoblastic layer and complete dentin bridge formation while subgroup 2 showed partial and complete dentin bridge over a normal and necrotic pulps. Subgroup 3 showed loss of normal architecture, areas of necrosis, complete, or incomplete dentin bridge formation, attached and detached pulp stones and fatty degeneration in group B. For group A, MTA subgroup showed the least number of inflammatory cell infiltrate followed by Port Cal subgroup. While subgroup 3 showed the highest number of inflammatory cell infiltrate. For group B, the mean inflammatory cell count increased with the three tested materials with no statistical difference. Regarding dentin bridge formation at group A, no significant differences was found between subgroups, while at group B, MTA subgroup exhibited significantly higher scores than other subgroups. In conclusion, addition of calcium hydroxide to Portland cement improves the dentin bridge formation qualitatively and quantitatively., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Considering the biological concerns of calcium hydroxide (CH) as a pulpotomy agent, an alternative silicate based dentin substitute i.e. Biodentine (Ca 3 SiO 5 ) was evaluated clinically and radiographically., Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of dentin substitute (Biodentine) in regenerative pulpotomy of vital primary teeth that would giv a biological base to its use in forming reactive dentin bridge and overcoming the drawbacks of calcium hydroxide., Material and Methods: Randomised clinical trial on 40 bilateral carious primary molars in 20 participant children (aged 5-10 years) was carried out by same operator using Ca 3 SiO 5 (group-1) and CH (group-2) as vital pulpotomy agents. Blinded clinical and radiographic outcomes were observed at 3, 6 and 12 months interval., Results: Clinical outcomes of both protocols were analysed using Pearson's chi-square test applied at P < 0.05. Descriptive statistics were expressed as mean increase in dentin bridge formation in mms from two reference points in standardized radiographs using paired ' t '- test at baseline and 12 months and found to be statistically significant ( P < 0.05) in group-1 when compared with group-2., Conclusion: Group-1 revealed statistically favourable regenerative potential along with clinical success compared to group 2 thereby sharing both indications and mode of action with CH, but without its drawbacks of physical and clinical properties., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the response of human dental pulp to direct capping with betamethasone/gentamicin (BG) cream and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). We hypothesized that the results of direct pulp capping with a topical BG combination would be similar to or better than those with MTA., Methods: Thirty-six human first premolar teeth scheduled for orthodontic extraction were randomly divided into 4 groups: BG1 group (n = 9), BG cream with 2-week follow-up; BG2 group (n = 10), BG cream with 8-week follow-up; MTA1 group (n = 8), MTA with 2-week follow-up; and MTA2 group (n = 9), MTA with 8-week follow-up. Teeth were extracted and evaluated at respective time intervals. Micro-computed tomography scanning and histologic analyses were performed for all specimens. Pulp pathology (inflammation, pulp abscesses, and pulp necrosis) and reparative reaction (formation of dentin bridges) were recorded., Results: Both BG cream and MTA resulted in significantly better pulpal responses at 8 weeks than at 2 weeks. Dentin bridge formation was significantly thicker in the MTA group at 8 weeks than in any other group (P < .05). Inflammation was of the acute type in all groups; no statistically significant differences in the distribution of inflammatory cells were found among the groups. Pulpal abscesses and/or necrosis were observed more often in teeth capped with BG than with MTA., Conclusions: Direct pulp capping with both BG cream and MTA was associated with dentin bridge formation. MTA resulted in a significantly better pulpal response, with less inflammation and a thicker dentin bridge at 8 weeks., (Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a biocompatible material for direct pulp capping. This study was designed to compare the clinical outcomes of pulp-exposed teeth treated with either poly(ε-caprolactone) fiber mesh (PCL-FM) as a barrier for MTA (so-called PCL-FM/MTA) or MTA direct pulp capping., Methods: Sixty human vital teeth were evenly divided into 4 groups (n = 15 in each group). Teeth in groups 1 and 3 had pulp exposure <1 mm in diameter, whereas teeth in groups 2 and 4 had pulp exposure of 1-1.5 mm in diameter. Teeth in groups 1 and 2 were treated with PCL-FM/MTA direct pulp capping, and those in groups 3 and 4 were treated with MTA direct pulp capping., Results: Teeth treated with PCL-FM/MTA direct pulp capping needed a significantly shorter mean duration for dentin bridge formation than teeth treated with MTA direct pulp capping. Moreover, teeth with pulp exposure <1.0 mm in diameter needed a significantly shorter mean duration for dentin bridge formation than teeth with pulp exposure of 1-1.5 mm in diameter after either PCL-FM/MTA or MTA direct pulp capping treatment. In addition, teeth treated with PCL-FM/MTA direct pulp capping formed an approximately 3-fold thicker dentin bridge than teeth treated with MTA direct pulp capping 8 weeks or 3 months later. Furthermore, none of the teeth treated with PCL-FM/MTA direct pulp capping showed tooth discoloration after treatment for 3 months., Conclusions: PCL-FM/MTA is a better combination material than MTA alone for direct pulp capping of human permanent teeth., (Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Recent advances in biotechnology and translational research have made it possible to provide treatment modalities that protect the vital pulp, allow manipulation of reactionary and reparative dentinogenesis, and, more recently, permit revascularization of an infected root canal space. These approaches are referred to as regenerative procedures. The method currently used to determine the origin of the tissue secreted during the repair/regeneration process is largely based on the identification of cellular markers (usually proteins) left by cells that were responsible for this tissue production. The presence of these proteins in conjunction with other indicators of cellular behavior (especially biomineralization) and analysis of the structure of the newly generated tissue allow conclusions to be made of how it was formed. Thus far, it has not been possible to truly establish the biological mechanism controlling tertiary dentinogenesis. This article considers current therapeutic techniques to treat the dentin-pulp complex and contextualize them in terms of reparative and regenerative processes. Although it may be considered a semantic argument rather than a biological one, the definitions of regeneration and repair are explored to clarify our position in this era of regenerative endodontics., (Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Emphasis has shifted from the "doomed" organ concept of an exposed pulp to one of hope and recovery. The era of vital-pulp therapy has been greatly enhanced with the introduction of various pulp capping materials. The aim of this article is to summarize and discuss about the various and newer pulp capping materials used for protection of the dentin-pulp complex.