Comparison of human pulp response to total-etch and self-etch bonding agents

ObjectiveTo compare the pulp reactions in terms of pulp inflammation, leakage involving bacteria and reactionary dentin formation to total-etch adhesive, Prime & Bond NT and self-etch adhesive, Xeno III in 2 mm deep class V cavities prepared in human teeth.Study design2 mm deep class V cavities were prepared on buccal surface of 40 human premolars. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups based on the application of a total-etch adhesive system, Prime and Bond NT after acid etching or a self-etching adhesive system, Xeno III. The teeth were extracted after 7 and 30 days and prepared according to routine histological techniques.ResultsAll teeth were asymptomatic. Both the adhesives showed moderate to severe inflammatory reactions in few cases initially at seven days, but the response was generally minimal at 30 days. Leakage involving bacteria was detected in 42.5% of restorations and 40% of the specimens were associated with various grades of pulp inflammation. The cavity remaining dentin thickness influenced the grade of inflammatory activity. A significant correlation was detected between inflammatory cell response and the presence of bacteria. Pulp response to self-etching adhesive, Xeno III was minimally different from that of the total-etch adhesive, Prime & Bond NT (p < .05).ConclusionsA self-etching adhesive system, Xeno III showed similar pulp response and leakage involving bacteria to a total-etch adhesive, Prime & Bond NT. Both adhesives showed an acceptable biological compatibility with human pulps at 30 days.