Histologic evaluation of direct pulp capping with a self-etching adhesive and calcium hydroxide in beagles

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pulpal response of beagles following direct pulp capping with Clearfil SE Bond (SB), a self-etching adhesive.Study designOne hundred thirty sound teeth from 6 male beagles were used. One hundred twenty teeth had their pulp mechanically exposed at the bottom of the class V cavities and were divided into 2 groups. In group 1, teeth were capped with SB; group 2 teeth were capped with calcium hydroxide cement (CH). Ten teeth were kept intact as an untreated control group. After 7, 30, and 90 days, 40 teeth from 2 beagles were extracted and processed for light microscopic examination.ResultsAfter the 7-day observation period, inflammatory reaction in the SB group was similar to that of the CH group (P > .05). After the 30-day and 90-day observation periods, inflammatory reaction was slight in both groups, but less dentin bridge formation was observed in specimens from the SB group than in those from the CH group (P < .05).ConclusionSB showed good biocompatibility with pulp, but its ability to induce reparative dentin was lower than that of CH.