Quantifying Coronal Permanent Tooth Discoloration Caused by Different Pulpotomy Materials

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is widely used in endodontics.
• Gray MTA (GMTA) and white MTA (WMTA) are known to cause tooth discoloration.
• Biodentine (BD) is a newer bioceramic material claimed to not cause discoloration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the tooth discoloration potential of Biodentine (BD), gray MTA (GMTA), and white MTA (WMTA) when used as pulpotomy base materials.
• To evaluate the long-term esthetic outcomes of different pulpotomy materials.

Main Methods:

• Forty human incisors were used.
• Pulp chambers were accessed and debrided.
• BD, GMTA, or WMTA was placed as a pulpotomy base.
• Specimens were incubated for three months.
• Color change was assessed weekly using the CIE L*a*b* color space system.

Main Results:

• All tested materials (GMTA, WMTA, BD) caused significant tooth discoloration compared to the control.
• GMTA and WMTA showed similar, significant discoloration, particularly in the cervical crown area, starting from week 1.
• WMTA discoloration increased over time.
• BD showed no significant discoloration over the three-month study period.
• GMTA showed significant discoloration at weeks 1 and 14.

Conclusions:

• GMTA and WMTA can cause significant tooth discoloration over time.
• BD is a more esthetically favorable option for pulpotomy base material compared to GMTA and WMTA.
• Clinicians should consider the esthetic implications when selecting pulpotomy materials.