A clinical and histological evaluation of conservative pulpal therapy in human teeth

Three intermediary base materials, a zinc oxide-eugenol (Cavitec) and two calcium hydroxide liners (Life and Dycal), were selected at random for use as a base beneath amalgam or composite restorations on humans following complete caries removal. Life and Dycal, selected at random, were also used as direct and indirect pulp capping agents as clinically indicated. Clinical evaluations of signs and symptoms were made before treatment and at one-week, six-month, and one-year intervals following treatment. Histological evaluations were performed on three complete caries removal teeth and 18 direct pulp capping teeth six months following treatment. No significant differences in clinical symptomatology resulted between the materials in the complete caries removal group or the indirect and direct pulp capping groups.