In vivo study of pulp reaction to glass ionomer cements and dentin adhesives

The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathologically the pulp tissue response of the researched materials 7 and 30 days after their application. The reaction of pulp tissue has been examined on first upper molars in 24 Wistar rats, following the previously set parameters. For that purpose, 48 class V cavities were prepared with a high-speed handpiece using a diamond burr under copious water-cooling. The cavities were divided into four groups. In the cavities from the first group we applied Fuji Lining LC, and in the secound group cavities we applied Fuji IX as a base. In the third and fourth group cavities we applied Prime and Bond and G Bong as a base. All the cavities were restored with liquid light cured composite. Seven days after the application, 3 rats from each group were killed and the restored teeth were extracted and immersed in a fixative solution, Osteomol. After removing the Osteomol, the specimens were processed according to histological procedures. The histological evaluation was made using a light microscope connected to a video camera. Thirty days after the application of the dental materials we re-did the procedure with the other restored teeth. For Fuji Lining LC and Fuji IX most of the specimens exhibited no pulpal response or slight inflammatory reaction associated with slight tissue disorganization during a seven-day period. A slight to moderate inflammatory pulpal response occurred in the specimens restored with G Bond, while Prime and Bond exhibited the strongest toxic effect on the pulp tissue. After 30 days the pulp tissue in all groups recovered and displayed a normal appearance.