Sealing properties of intermediary bases and effect on rat molar pulp

Five "cream-like" intermediary bases (Hypocal¿, Dycal¿, Reocap¿, Cavitec¿ and Dropsin¿) were studied using ZnO-eugenol (ZOE) and phosphate cement for comparison. The in vitro experiments, which were designed to reveal the penetration of a dye and an etching liquid, showed that Dropsin and Hyypocal were permeable to dye and that Dropsin was permeable to acid as well. The in vivo experiments revealed no definite differences between the different cream-like base materials, nor were there differences between those and the conventional cements. The overall mildness of the dentin-pulp reactions and the suitability of the rat molar for this kind of research are discussed.