Effects of Biodentine on the Pulpodentinal Repair Capacity in Minipigs

Method: Experiments were approved by the National Institute of Animal care and Ethic Committee of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Class V or class I cavities with a residual dentine thickness ranging from 0.3-0.5 mm were prepared on the buccal or the occlusal surfaces of permanent teeth in three pigs. Pulpal exposures were performed in half of the cavities.  Non-exposed cavities were treated with either the Biodentine(Septodont, France) or Ca(OH)2-based cement Dycal(Dentsply), while exposed cavities with either Biodentine  or MTA-Angelus (Angelus, Brasil). Stereotype connective tissue reactions and pulpodentinal-specific reparative tissue responses (thickness and form  of newly formed matrix) were assessed at post-operative periods of 3 and 8 weeks, by light and scanning electron microscopy. The results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Result: Neither severe inflammatory response nor tissue necrosis was observed, either in the dentinal cavities or pulpal exposures treated with the experimental (Biodentine) or the control materials. Newly deposited extracellular matrix of tubular form (tertiary dentine) was also seen in all groups. A significantly higer rate of tertiary dentine formation was noticed after Biodentine application. Morphological characteristics of reactionary or reparative dentine formation in teeth treated with Biodentine were comparable with those observed after application of Ca(OH)2- or MTA-based materials respectively.  Atypical intratubular minealization was mainly found in non-exposed cavities treated with biodentine. Characteristic differences in the homogeneity of calcified bridge were noticed between two groups of pulpal exposures.

Conclusion: This research indicates that application of Biodentine in deep dentinal cavities or pulpal exposures of miniature pig teeth can lead to acceptable healing and repair of the dentine-pulp complex, with formation of homogenous tertiary dentine zone.