Human pulpal response to hydroxyapatite and a calcium hydroxide material as direct capping agents

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Pulp Biology

Background:

• Direct pulp capping aims to preserve pulp vitality and promote healing.
• Evaluating biocompatibility and regenerative potential of capping materials is crucial.
• Hydroxyapatite and Dycal are commonly used direct pulp capping agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the human pulpal response to hydroxyapatite and Dycal as direct capping materials.
• To assess the efficacy of these materials in inducing hard tissue formation and managing inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Forty-four human premolars designated for orthodontic extraction were used.
• Pulpal exposures were treated with either hydroxyapatite or Dycal.
• Histological examination was performed at 2, 30, and 60 days post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Hydroxyapatite did not induce hard tissue bridging at the exposure site.
• Moderate inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in teeth capped with hydroxyapatite.
• Dycal facilitated hard tissue bridging and resulted in minimal or no inflammatory response.

Conclusions:

• Exposed human dental pulp can heal effectively under Dycal application.
• Dycal promotes reparative dentin formation and has favorable biocompatibility.
• Hydroxyapatite is less effective in promoting healing and may elicit an inflammatory response.