The histological effects of composite resin materials on the pulps of monkey teeth

Pulpal response of three bis glycol methacrylate composite resins, Smile, Simulate and Experimental Composite no. 2 were tested on primary and permanent monkey teeth using zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) and silicate as controls. All materials were placed in Class V cavity preparations in Rhesus monkey teeth and evaluated at 3 days and 5 and 8 weeks. The materials were randomly placed in anterior and posterior teeth utilizing 75 primary and 75 permanent teeth. Following perfusion the teeth were prepared by routine histological procedures. The 3 day response of the composite resins was moderate, characterized by disruption of the odontoblasts, vacuolization and mild inflammatory response underlying the cavity. At 5 weeks the formation of reparative dentin and a decrease in the inflammatory response was similar for all resins observed. At 8 weeks a slight increase in reparative dentin and continued decrease in inflammation was noted when compared to the 5 weeks responses. At all time intervals ZOE produced the least pulpal response while silicate produced the most severe response.