Detection of TNF-¦Á in Human Dental Pulps Suffered from Root Caries

Objective:To investigate the level of tumor necrosis factor-¦Á(TNF-¦Á) in normal human dental pulps and pulps suffered from root surface caries and inflamed pulp tissues so as to reveal the possible relationship beteen TNF-¦Á and root surface caries.Methods: Pulps were obtained from three groups of teeth,including 30 healthy teeth,38 root surface caries teeth and 32 root caries pulpitis teeth. Pulpal tissues were collected,prepared,and analyzed for TNF-¦Á concentration by ELISA technique. Results: TNF-¦Á was all detected in the normal and root surface caries and inflamed pulp tissues.The content of TNF-¦Á was 45.67± 23.35 pg/g for normal dental pulp and 338.96±87.54 pg/g for root surface caries and 975.13±362.87 pg/g for inflamed pulp tissues.There were significant differences between TNF-¦Á concentration in normal dental pulps and root surface caries (P<0.01),between the normal and the inflamed pulp tissues (P<0.01),and between root surface caries and inflamed pulp tissues (P<0.05). Conclusion: TNF-¦Áparticipates in the presence and development of root surface caries.It is an objective marker for determining extent of pulpal inflammation of root surface caries.