[Assessment of tooth pulp reaction to dental materials in an animal experiment]

Laser Doppler flowmetry is a useful method for quantifying changes in microcirculation. The present study is designed to clarify if this method may also be used to assess the biocompatibility of dental materials. The experiments carried out on rats' incisors have shown that it is possible to record circulatory reactions occurring in the direct vicinity of the site of application. The reactive change in microcirculation in the apical part clearly differs from the local reaction at the site of application. A modification of the experimental set up allows the synchronous recording of blood flow in the apical and the incisal parts of the pulp. Calcium hydroxide is used to illustrate the local and the overall circulatory reaction of the dental pulp.