Reaction of the exposed pulps to new cements containing calcium hydroxide

The biologic properties of three newly developed cements containing calcium hydroxide were evaluated and compared with those of polycarboxylate cement and Dycal by application of the cements in direct contact with rat pulps. The newly developed cements were biologically acceptable and induced pulpal healing by formation of secondary dentin. Dycal elicited mild pulp inflammation, followed by slow dentin formation. Although polycarboxylate cement induced a very mild pulpal reaction, healing took place via the formation of thin irregular, poorly formed dentin bridges over a long period.