Response of human dental pulp capped with biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate

Abstract

Introduction: Biodentine is a new bioactive cement that is similar to the widely used mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). It has dentin-like mechanical properties, which may be considered a suitable material for clinical indications of dentin-pulp complex regeneration such as direct pulp capping. The purpose of the present study was to compare the response of the pulp-dentin complex in human teeth after direct capping with this new tricalcium silicate-based cement with that of MTA.

Methods: Pulps in 28 caries-free maxillary and mandibular permanent intact human molars scheduled for extraction for orthodontic reasons were mechanically exposed and assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups, Biodentine or MTA, and 1 control group. Assay of periapical response and clinical examination were performed. After 6 weeks, the teeth were extracted, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and categorized by using a histologic scoring system.

Results: The majority of specimens showed complete dentinal bridge formation and an absence of inflammatory pulp response. Layers of well-arranged odontoblast and odontoblast-like cells were found to form tubular dentin under the osteodentin. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between the Biodentine and MTA experimental groups during the observation period.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, Biodentine had a similar efficacy in the clinical setting and may be considered an interesting alternative to MTA in pulp-capping treatment during vital pulp therapy.