[Pulp toxicity of the acid components of acid-base reaction cements]

Laser-Doppler-flowmetry enables us to assess microcirculatory changes in the tooth pulp. This method can also be used for testing the histocompatibility of dental materials. The acid components of Tenet and Ketac-Cem are examined for tissue tolerance. This is done by assessing the incisal and apical changes in pulpal microcirculation. The phosphoric acid of Tenet causes an almost complete collapse of the incisal microcirculation just a short time after its application. The tartrate of Ketac-Cem causes long-lasting hyperaemia, whereas the acryl-maleinate-copolymer has no discernible effects.