Biological assessments of experimental cavity cleansers: correlation between in vitro and in vivo studies

Adhesive bonding of resins to dentin surfaces requires the removal of the layer of debris caused by the cutting. Certain isotonic acidic solutions can do this rapidly. Five solutions were evaluated using cell cultures and pulp studies in monkeys. At concentrations above 10%, each solution caused the cultured human epithelial cells to respond unfavorably, probably due to the low pH of the culture medium. None of these experimental cleanser solutions caused significant pulpal irritation.