Clinical evaluation of White Pro Root MTA as a direct pulp capping material

Objective: this study evaluates the clinical and radiographic findings of White Pro Root MTA (Tulsa Dental) as a direct pulp-capping material compared to a control, Dycal (L.D. Caulk). Methods: forty-eight human 3rd molars, caries free or with incipient decay, scheduled to be extracted were selected and randomly divided in 2 groups: Group A: (n=24) White Pro Root MTA and Group B: (n=24) Dycal. Teeth were isolated with rubber dam and Class I cavities prepared. Mechanical pulp exposure was performed using a sterile diamond bur and a sterile cotton pellet damped with saline solution was placed for 20 to 50s. The exposure was then lightly rinsed with sterile water and gently air-dried. White Pro Root MTA or Dycal was placed over the exposure site followed by a layer of light cured Dyract Flow (L.D. Caulk). Teeth were acid etched and Prime and Bond NT adhesive (L.D. Caulk) was applied and light cured. TPH composite resin (L.D. Caulk) was placed and light cured. Evaluations were performed by phone at 7 days and clinically at 30 and 120 days using standard tests and radiographs. Teeth were extracted at 120 days and fixed in formalin. Results: no significant difference was found for 7-day sensitivity between White Pro Root MTA and Dycal (p>0.05, using Mann-Whitney U test). Clinically, no significant difference was found for pulp response at 30 days (p>0.05, using a Chi-Square test) and at 120 days (p>0.05, using Fisher’s exact test) between White Pro Root MTA and Dycal. Radiographically, there was no difference at 120 days. No statistical test needed to be performed since no teeth in either group exhibited periapical lesions. Histological results are pending. Conclusion: this study has demonstrated that clinically White Pro Root MTA has the potential to be as effective pulp capping material as the control. This study was supported by Tulsa Dental, Dentsply.